Antidepressants Increase the Risk of Dementia
An international study led by Israeli scientists from the University of Haifa has shown that the use of antidepressants nearly triples the risk of developing dementia among people over 60 compared to their peers who do not take these medications. The study results, published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, note that its authors should be carefully studied by doctors, medical staff providing care for the elderly, and the patients themselves.
⚠️ When to be cautious: early signs of dementia in a loved one
- ➤ forgetfulness beyond age norms — does not remember recent events;
- ➤ difficulties with routine tasks — cooking, paying bills, operating equipment;
- ➤ confusion in words, difficulty finding words or naming objects;
- ➤ disorientation in time and space — may get lost in a familiar place;
- ➤ changes in personality and mood — apathy, irritability, suspicion.
If an elderly loved one is taking antidepressants and you notice these signs — schedule a consultation with a neurologist at Ichilov.
Early diagnosis slows disease progression.
Dementia or senile dementia is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that affects middle-aged individuals. It has a chronic course and a progressive nature. It manifests as a noticeable decline in cognitive functions – memory, thinking, understanding, speech – and the ability to perform daily activities. The basis of dementia lies in a severe disorder of higher nervous activity, caused by organic damage to the brain.
Senile dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease as its most common form, is considered one of the leading causes of disability among the elderly worldwide. The costs of providing care for dementia patients amount to approximately 1.5 trillion dollars per year. According to the World Health Organization, around 50 million people worldwide currently suffer from this ailment; by 2050, their number is projected to triple – meaning the disease will be diagnosed in every fourth elderly person on the planet.
According to data from other studies, nearly 2% of the population suffers from depression in adulthood. Recently, elderly individuals are increasingly prescribed antidepressants – typically for the treatment of depressive disorders and other pathological conditions, including insomnia, anxiety, and pain.
"The results of our study demonstrate that the use of antidepressant medications by older adults is associated with an increased number of dementia cases. Doctors, medical staff providing care for the elderly, and the patients themselves should pay attention to the negative consequences of using antidepressants in people over 60," says the head of the research team, Professor Steven Levin from the University of Haifa.
Alternatives to Antidepressants for the Elderly at Ichilov
- ➤ cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) — proven effectiveness for depression without side effects;
- ➤ transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) — non-invasive method for resistant depression;
- ➤ light therapy and circadian rhythm regulation for sleep disturbances;
- ➤ neuropsychological rehabilitation — training of memory and cognitive functions;
- ➤ selection of minimal effective doses under the supervision of a neuropsychiatrist — if medications are still needed.
At Ichilov, individualized treatment protocols for depression in the elderly are developed — minimizing risks to cognitive health. Consultation with a psychiatrist and neurologist — together.
He and his fellow researchers from America, Sweden, and Cyprus conducted an experiment involving 71,515 individuals over 60 who did not have dementia between 2002 and 2012. The authors aimed to determine how many participants would develop this disease between 2013 and 2017. The results showed that among 3,688 participants who took antidepressants, dementia developed in 407, or 11%. In contrast, among 67,827 individuals who did not take them, the disease affected only 1,768, or 2.6%.
Using advanced statistical methods, the researchers established that the use of antidepressants increases the risk of developing dementia by 3.4 times. Additional analyses, including sub-samples with probable differential dementia risk (without depression) and studying various aspects of antidepressant treatment, confirmed the link between the use of medications in this pharmacological group and senile dementia.
Check Cognitive Health: Diagnosis at Ichilov
- ➤ neuropsychological testing — comprehensive assessment of memory, attention, thinking;
- ➤ MRI of the brain with a dementia protocol — detection of hippocampal atrophy and other changes;
- ➤ PET-CT with Pittsburgh compound — visualization of amyloid plaques (Alzheimer's marker);
- ➤ genetic testing — analysis of APOE genes and other dementia risk factors;
- ➤ biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid — levels of beta-amyloid and tau protein for early diagnosis.
Early diagnosis of dementia allows for the initiation of therapy that slows progression by 40–60%. At Ichilov, the examination takes 3–4 days. Results — with interpretation in Russian.
Meanwhile, scientists still do not know exactly how antidepressants affect the risk of developing dementia. They believe that these medications may cause damage to brain nerve cells, provoking the development of senile dementia. Further research is needed to clarify this issue, the authors emphasize.