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Related Experiment Videos

Cognitive impairment associated with beta-blockade in the elderly.

T K Rogers1, C E Bowman

  • 1Department of Medicine, Weston-super-Mare General Hospital, UK.

Postgraduate Medical Journal
|December 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary

Beta-blocker medications, including propranolol and atenolol, may cause or worsen mental impairment in elderly patients. Stopping these drugs led to significant improvement in cognitive function for affected individuals.

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Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents are widely prescribed for cardiovascular conditions.
  • Elderly individuals may be more susceptible to medication side effects.
  • Cognitive impairment in the elderly is a significant public health concern.

Observation:

  • Three elderly patients developed insidious mental impairment while on both lipophilic (propranolol) and hydrophilic (atenolol) beta-blockers.
  • No evidence of impaired cerebral perfusion or depression was found.
  • Cognitive function improved markedly in all patients upon discontinuation of the beta-blockers.

Findings:

  • Beta-blockade, encompassing both lipophilic and hydrophilic agents, may precipitate or aggravate cognitive deficits in the elderly.

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  • Two patients showed persistent mild impairment, suggestive of underlying neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
  • One patient fully recovered cognitive function after drug withdrawal.

    • Implications:

    • Clinicians should consider beta-blocker-induced cognitive impairment in elderly patients presenting with mental changes.
    • Careful medication review and potential drug withdrawal may be beneficial for cognitive health in this population.
    • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying beta-blocker neurotoxicity in older adults.