Common over-the-counter and prescription medications known as anticholinergics may cause cognition impairment.
Common anticholinergic drug brands include Benadryl, Demerol, Dimetapp, Dramamine, Paxil, Unsom, Vesicare.
Anticholinergic drugs function as antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antivertigo, and muscle relaxants.
Cognitive impairment with anticholinergics had been known, but for the first time, researchers used brain imaging techniques (PET scans) to determine the physical changes associated with these drugs.
More than 400 participants, with an average age of 73, were given memory and cognitive tests, PET scans and MRI scans. Participants who were taking anticholinergic drugs perform as well on memory tests and had lower levels of brain activity compared to those who weren’t taking anticholinergic drugs.
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