Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
03:26
Detrusor Underactivity Model in Rats by Conus Medullaris Transection
Published on: August 28, 2020
Urinary Urgency Medications May Compromise Discrete rather than Global Cognitive Skills
1Department of Neurology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Okla., USA.
Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra
|July 20, 2012
Summary
Stopping urinary urgency medication (UUM) like oxybutynin and tolterodine improved cognitive function in some elderly individuals. Subtest scores, not just total scores, revealed these cognitive changes after medication withdrawal.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mixed results exist regarding cognitive impairment from urinary urgency medications (UUM).
- Previous studies suggest a need for refined assessment procedures for UUM-related cognitive effects.
- Urinary urgency medications (UUM) are commonly prescribed for elderly individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of UUM withdrawal on cognitive function in elderly subjects.
- To determine if cognitive improvements are detectable through neuropsychological testing after discontinuing UUM.
- To assess the utility of subtest score analysis versus full-scale scores in detecting cognitive changes.
Main Methods:
- A washout study involving 10 elderly subjects taking UUM.
- Neuropsychological testing administered before and after a 4-week UUM washout period.
- Analysis of discrete subtest results, full-scale scores, and reliable change index.
Main Results:
- Four control subjects and five subjects with mild cognitive impairment showed significant improvements in at least one neuropsychological subtest.
- Cognitive improvements were observed on well-characterized assessment instruments.
- Individualized patterns of change were noted across subjects.
Conclusions:
- Withdrawal of oxybutynin and tolterodine led to significant changes in subtest scores.
- Changes in subtest scores, not always reflected in total scores, indicate cognitive shifts.
- Future studies should prioritize subtest score analysis to accurately capture UUM's cognitive impact.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
01:26Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Renal calculi, commonly termed kidney stones, are crystalline solid masses that form in the kidneys but can occur at any point within the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.The pathophysiology of renal stones involves several key factors: supersaturation of the urine with stone-forming constituents, changes in urine pH, a decrease in urine volume, and the presence of substances that promote or inhibit stone formation.Supersaturation of Urine: This is the...
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function. They...
01:21Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System I: Health History
The genitourinary system is critical to maintaining fluid balance, waste elimination, and reproductive function. Nurses play a vital role in assessing this system, beginning with a thorough health history. This process involves gathering patient information, identifying risk factors, and recognizing symptoms of genitourinary disorders. Early detection is vital for timely interventions and management.1. Gathering Patient InformationA complete health history includes the patient’s personal,...
01:26The Micturition Reflex
Urination, or micturition involves the coordination of the bladder's detrusor muscle and two sphincters to ensure controlled bladder emptying.
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
01:26Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test
A urine culture and sensitivity test is a diagnostic procedure used to identify urinary tract bacterial infections and determine the most effective antibiotics for treatment. This test is generally preferred when a patient shows manifestations of a urinary tract infection, such as frequent or painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or lower abdominal pain.Purpose of the TestThe primary goals of a urine culture and sensitivity test are to:Determine the specific bacteria causing the...