6 replies to this topic

[Michael Rian]

Anxiety and sleeping pills linked to Alzheimer's disease: benzodiazepine use for three months or more was linked to an increased risk (up to 51%) of dementia.

 

 

 

 

Long-term use of pills for anxiety and sleep problems may be linked to Alzheimer's, research suggests.

A study of older Canadian adults found that past benzodiazepine use for three months or more was linked to an increased risk (up to 51%) of dementia.

NHS guidelines say the drugs should be used for eight to 12 weeks at most.

The French-Canadian team says while the link is not definitive, it is another warning that treatments should not exceed three months.

"Benzodiazepine use is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease," lead researcher, Sophie Billioti de Gage of the University of Bordeaux, France, and colleagues wrote in the BMJ.

Continue reading the main story

This study shows an apparent link between the use of benzodiazepines and Alzheimer's disease although it's hard to know the underlying reason behind the link”

Dr Eric Karran Alzheimer's Research UK

"Unwarranted long-term use of these drugs should be considered as a public health concern."

The study involved about 2,000 cases of Alzheimer's disease in adults aged over 66 living in Quebec. All had been prescribed benzodiazepines.

They were compared with about 7,000 healthy people of the same age living in the same community.

While an increased risk was found in those on benzodiazepines, the nature of the link was unclear.

Dr Eric Karran, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "This study shows an apparent link between the use of benzodiazepines and Alzheimer's disease although it's hard to know the underlying reason behind the link.

"One limitation of this study is that benzodiazepines treat symptoms such as anxiety and sleep disturbance, which may also be early indicators of Alzheimer's disease."

Long-term use

Prof Guy Goodwin, president of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, said the findings "could mean that the drugs cause the disease, but is more likely to mean that the drugs are being given to people who are already ill".

Dr James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said with 1.5 million people in the UK being prescribed benzodiazepines at any one time, "evidence that their long-term use increases the risk of dementia is significant, and raises questions about their use".

Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety disorders and insomnia.

Despite published guidance on their appropriate use for short-term management, inappropriate prescribing of the drugs is still a concern.

Experts are calling for better monitoring of side-effects, particularly in older adults.

 

 

 

http://www.bbc.com/n...health-29127726

[Daniel Cooper]

That is a particularly troubling study for anyone that has any long term benzo or Z-drug history in their background.  One wonders if the effect diminishes if these drugs are halted as time goes on and if there are any strategies for mitigating the damage.

 

 

 

[Sunifiramses II]

I've already read about this from multiple sources, but haven't seen anything clarifying what "three months of use" means. Surely they mean continuous use? I've been taking alprazolam (Xanax) as needed for panic attacks, which I thought was the safe and responsible way to take it... right?

 

(Assuming that we can infer causation from this particular correlation, which is always a big if.)

 

(EDIT: By "as needed," I mean once a month on average--and getting less frequent over time--for the past several months.)

Edited by Sunifiramses II, 11 September 2014 - 12:03 AM.

[pro-v]

I would lean more toward correlation than causation. Still an interesting link

[Michael Rian]

I was on Ativan for 4 years, alongside a horrible alcohol problem.  Almost 3 years clean and sober from all substances, I still feel memory loss and terrible cognitive deficits.  I have taken the last few years to try recover from my past vices with little success other than vigorous exercise and healthy diet.  This study is particularly frightening since I have had so much trouble returning to a baseline. 

 

Would anyone have any suggestions for me to aid in my mental recoveries? As in medications or supplements?  I have been interested in Neurogenesis and BDNF, which is tempting me to start an Antidepressant.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

My symptoms are various, but all revolve around feeling mentally fatigued, poor memory, dissociation, and I hate this term, but Brain Fog. 

 

I would just like to feel awake and alive again instead of this purgatory state I continuously reside in.

[tunt01]

I've a family member who has been on various benzos for almost 7 years now.  They are clearly in an early dementia/alzheimer state.  They cannot sleep without the pills and it has altered their ability to recover physically.  Their body is breaking down across many areas (GI, joints).  The benzos and inability to sleep/function properly seem to be the primary cause.

[medievil]

We have to look into the mechanism behind this, could it be supression of glutamate? in that case nootropics like nefiracetam could help (it should help with the ongoing cognitive impairment) i just can imagine long term supression of the main neurotransmitter in the brain is gonna have long term effects.