UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour - Sleeping Pills and Anti Depressants linked to Alzheimer’s.

UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour

Sleeping Pills and Anti Depressants linked to Alzheimer’s.

The BBC recently covered a story that says that research had suggested that the long-term use of pills for anxiety and sleep problems may be linked to Alzheimer's.

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 these types of drugs should be used for eight to 12 weeks at most.

The French-Canadian says that this although not definitive is another warning that treatments should not exceed three months.

This study shows an apparent link between the use of benzodiazepines and Alzheimer's disease although it's hard to identify the underlying reason behind the link one source said.

The study involved about 2,000 cases of Alzheimer's disease in adults aged over 66 in Quebec, all of whom had at one time or another been prescribed benzodiazepines.

The results were compared with those of about 7,000 healthy people of the same age living in the same community who had not been prescribed these drugs.

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, said:  the study showed an apparent link between the use of benzodiazepines and Alzheimer's disease although was difficult to identify why this should be so. "One limitation of this study is that benzodiazepines treat symptoms such as anxiety and sleep disturbance, which may also be early indications of Alzheimer's disease."

Commenting on the study Prof Guy Goodwin, president of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, said the findings might mean that the drugs cause the disease, but was 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".

Despite published guidance on their appropriate use for short-term management, inappropriate prescribing of the drugs is still a concern and experts are calling for better monitoring of the side effects, particularly in older adults.

Amanda Thomas

UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour

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