The current body of evidence, much of it established and confirmed in studies by scientists, supports the existence of a relationship between long-term use of anticholinergic medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants, and cognitive impairment, including dementia. Research suggests use of anticholinergics in older adult populations increases risk of dementia 30 to 50 percent.
With a study population of adults 18 years and older that was 44 percent White and 42 percent Black, the researchers found that almost two-thirds of the prescribed tricyclic antidepressants were above the dosage threshold that has been associated with an increased risk of dementia in older adults. Black patients were more likely to be prescribed these drugs at higher doses, disproportionately increasing their risk for dementia compared with White patients.
"Using data from electronic health records, we found tricyclic antidepressants being prescribed to people with diabetes for periods of five years, sometimes up to eight or nine years, at a rate that puts about two thirds of tricyclic antidepressants users at higher risk of dementia," said Dr. Campbell, an aging brain and pharmacy services researcher.
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