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Commonly prescribed drugs associate with cognitive function: a cross-sectional study in UK Biobank
Alejo J Nevado-Holgado1, Chi-Hun Kim1, Laura Winchester1
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.
BMJ Open
|December 2, 2016
Summary
Commonly prescribed medications, including those for nervous system and non-nervous system conditions, were linked to poorer cognitive function in a large UK Biobank study. Some drugs, like anti-inflammatories, showed potential cognitive benefits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cognitive function is crucial for daily living.
- Medications can impact cognitive performance.
- Understanding drug-associated cognitive effects is important for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate associations between commonly prescribed medications and cognitive function.
- To identify specific drug classes and individual medications linked to cognitive performance.
- To differentiate between drug effects and underlying disease effects on cognition.
Main Methods:
- Population-based cross-sectional cohort study using UK Biobank data.
- Analysis of cognitive test outcomes (verbal-numerical reasoning, memory, reaction time) in 37-73 year olds.
- Statistical adjustment for demographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors.
Main Results:
- Most medications (262/368) showed no cognitive association.
- Drugs for nervous system disorders (e.g., antiepileptics, antipsychotics) were linked to poorer cognitive performance.
- Certain non-nervous system drugs (e.g., antihypertensives, antidiabetics, PPIs, laxatives) also showed negative cognitive associations.
- Anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., ibuprofen) and glucosamine were associated with improved cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- Some commonly prescribed medications are associated with poorer cognitive performance.
- While some associations may relate to underlying conditions, others warrant clinical vigilance.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and clinical implications of these drug-cognition interactions.
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