Do Statins Cause Dementia? Here’s What the Science Says
By
Simon Spichak, MSc
| June 18th, 2024
Roughly a quarter of all Americans over the age of 40 in the U.S. take statin drugs — which lower levels of cholesterol —…
Viagra May Cut Dementia Risk—But Don’t Get Too Excited
By
Simon Spichak, MSc
| February 21st, 2024
Believe it or not, Pfizer’s drug Viagra was originally designed to treat cardiovascular problems. Early on in clinical trials, men taking the drug became…
How Safe Are Drugs Like Xanax in Dementia?
By
Simon Spichak and Katy Koop
| December 4th, 2023
Dementia is most widely associated with its cognitive symptoms, like memory loss. But it often brings a host of behavioral symptoms, too, like agitation…
What You Need to Know About Benzodiazepines and Dementia
By
Being Patient
| December 1st, 2023
Often, people living with dementia will develop behavioral symptoms. To treat symptoms like agitation and insomnia, doctors sometimes prescribe benzodiazepines (“benzos”) like Xanax, Valium…
Xanax and Dementia: Doctors Weigh In on Safety of Benzodiazepines
By
Simon Spichak, MSc
| September 11th, 2023
Dementia is most widely associated with its cognitive symptoms, like memory loss. But it often brings a host of behavioral symptoms, too, like agitation…
Painkiller Study: Are Opioids Safe for Dementia Patients?
By
Simon Spichak, MSc
| July 18th, 2023
One in three people with dementia develop chronic pain. When over-the-counter medications like Aspirin or Aleve aren’t enough, doctors may prescribe opioids: a class…
This Blood Pressure Medication May Reduce Cognitive Decline Risk by 1/5
By
Simon Spichak
| May 9th, 2022
As we age, we experience an increased risk of developing high blood pressure or hypertension — the leading risk factor for disease in the world. Dementia…
Study: Long-Term Antibiotic Use Linked To Cognitive Decline
By
Simon Spichak, MSc
| April 7th, 2022
To treat many common bacterial infections, a short course of antibiotics is often prescribed. But in the case of chronic conditions — such as…
In America’s Aging Adults, Soaring Opioid Overdose Deaths
By
Nicholas Chan
| February 7th, 2022
The opioid crisis has long plagued the U.S. An estimated 136 Americans will die each day from overdosing on opioids, an alarming figure that…
Z-Drugs for Insomnia Linked to Adverse Effects in People With Dementia
By
Alexandra Marvar
| January 4th, 2021
Poor sleep — which often goes hand in hand with dementia — can lead to a number of other cognitive health problems for people…
Researchers Study Potential Side Effects of Medications for People with Alzheimer’s
By
Nicholas Chan
| September 17th, 2020
By examining the health records of more than four million older adults on Medicare, the researchers will study whether prescribing drugs such as cholinesterase…
These Common Drugs Can Quadruple Cognitive Decline Risk
By
Alexandra Marvar
| September 9th, 2020
A study published this month in Neurology confirmed prior findings that a certain type of drug — anticholinergics — can be problematic, especially for…
75% of Older Adults With Dementia May Be On the Wrong Prescriptions
By
Alexandra Marvar
| August 18th, 2020
According to new research, nearly three quarters of older adults with dementia have filled prescriptions for medicines that act on their brain and nervous…
New App to Help People Detect Drugs That May Cause Dementia
By
Jacqueline Ahearn
| August 1st, 2019
The National Institute on Aging is providing researchers with $3.5 million for a five-year study on the effectiveness of an app that will help…
Do Sleep Medications Increase Dementia Risk?
By
Remmya Kaparampil
| July 24th, 2019
Between 50 and 70 million Americans live with a sleep disorder. While getting a bad night’s sleep has been linked to an increased dementia…