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Benzodiazepine Use and Cognitive Decline in Elderly With Normal Cognition
Yuhai Zhang1, Xiao-Hua Zhou, Dana H Meranus
1Departments of *Biostatistics∥Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington‡HSR &D VA Puget Sound Health Care System§National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center, Seattle, WA†Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders
|June 13, 2015
Summary
Benzodiazepine (BZD) use did not show an association with cognitive decline in elderly individuals. Poor cognitive performance in BZD users may stem from preclinical dementia, not the medication itself.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Benzodiazepine (BZD) use is common in the elderly.
- The relationship between BZD use and long-term cognitive changes, including dementia, remains debated.
- Existing research presents conflicting views on BZDs' impact on cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between benzodiazepine use and cognitive decline in older adults with normal cognition.
- To differentiate between any-use and always-use of BZDs in relation to cognitive trajectories.
- To analyze cognitive changes over time in relation to BZD usage patterns.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Alzheimer's Disease Coordinating Center's Uniform Data Set.
- Classified BZD use into 'any-use' (at least one visit) and 'always-use' (all visits).
- Compared cognitive decline using Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes and Mini-Mental State Examination scores against a no-BZD use reference group.
Main Results:
- All participants showed cognitive decline over time.
- Benzodiazepine users exhibited poorer cognitive performance at all assessment points compared to non-users.
- No statistically significant difference in the rate of cognitive decline was observed between BZD users and non-users.
Conclusions:
- Benzodiazepine use was not found to be associated with an increased rate of cognitive decline in this elderly cohort.
- Poorer cognitive performance in BZD users may reflect early, preclinical dementia processes rather than a direct medication effect.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between BZD use, cognitive function, and dementia.
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