Dementia can develop due to several factors — including genetics, aging, brain changes, lifestyle, and other health conditions — according to Dementia UK. The condition occurs when brain cells become damaged and can no longer communicate effectively, leading to the shrinking of different parts of the brain.
A new study published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine has drawn attention to a possible connection between the commonly prescribed drug gabapentin and an increased risk of dementia.
What Is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is primarily used to treat nerve pain and control seizures. It’s also frequently prescribed off-label for issues like fibromyalgia, sciatica, insomnia, anxiety, hot flashes, and chronic lower back pain.
The drug is often seen as a safer, less addictive alternative to opioids and other pain medications. However, like most pharmaceuticals, it carries potential side effects — including dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headaches, memory lapses, and speech difficulties.
What the Study Found
Researchers analyzed health data from over 26,000 adults in the TriNetX research network, focusing on individuals managing chronic pain conditions such as lower back pain and lumbar radiculopathy. They compared patients taking gabapentin with a similar group who did not use the medication and monitored them over a ten-year period for signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia.
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The findings were notable:
- People with six or more prescriptions for gabapentin had a 29% higher risk of developing dementia and an 85% higher risk of mild cognitive impairment.
- The 35–49 age group showed the most surprising results, with dementia risk doubling and MCI risk tripling — an unexpected trend since neurodegeneration typically affects those over 65.
Lead author Nafis B. Eghrari, a fourth-year medical student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, explained to Medical News Today:
“Currently, there is a discrepancy on whether taking gabapentin increases a patient’s risk for developing dementia. Moreover, there lacks a strong understanding of how gabapentin impacts cognitive function and whether it contributes to neurodegenerative processes.”
Eghrari emphasized that the results show an association, not proof of causation:
“Though this does not imply causation, this warrants further investigation on the drug’s long-term effects.”
Limitations and Criticisms
Experts have noted several limitations to the research. The study did not account for other medications, existing health conditions, or lifestyle factors that could influence cognitive decline.
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Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, told Medscape:
“One very important factor that was not examined in this study is levels of physical activity. People with chronic pain requiring gabapentin may have been less physically active, which is a known risk factor for developing dementia.”
Similarly, Ian Maidment, professor of clinical pharmacy at Aston University in Birmingham, England, noted that the analysis didn’t control for treatment duration or dosage.
“The jury is out on whether gabapentin causes dementia,” he said, pointing out that other studies have not found a clear connection.
Orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Neel Anand added that proving a direct cause would require more controlled studies comparing patients who use gabapentin correctly with those who do not take it at all. Still, he agreed that it’s important to remain cautious and aware of potential cognitive side effects.
What Patients and Doctors Should Know
Despite its limitations, the study’s authors recommend vigilance.
“Physicians prescribing gabapentin for chronic pain should perform cognitive exams on a regular basis when seeing patients,” Eghrari advised.
Patients are encouraged to promptly report symptoms such as confusion, forgetfulness, or slower thinking to their healthcare providers.
Eghrari concluded:
“We hope to carry this research forward to determine whether a true causative relationship exists between gabapentin and cognitive impairment, and to understand how the drug might impact brain function.”
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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