Researchers explore possible connection between a widely used drug and dementia risk
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-labelfor 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 adultsin 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.
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.
