Memory loss is one of the most feared issues we face in life. You may think genetics and aging are the only causes of memory problems. They’re not! Forgetfulness and fuzzy thinking might be linked to your medicine cabinet.
A mounting body of scientific evidence shows that many commonly used prescription and over-the-counter medications are associated with memory loss.
If you’re struggling with memory issues, be sure to investigate whether any medications you’re taking may be contributing to the problem. In this blog, we’ll explore eight of the most common types of drugs that increase forgetfulness and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
8 MEDICATIONS LINKED TO MEMORY LOSS
Anticholinergics
A 2020 study in the journal Neurology revealed that taking a certain class of drugs called anticholinergics has been tied to problems with thinking and memory. There are about 100 types of anticholinergics, which are commonly used to treat high blood pressure, overactive bladder, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, and even the common cold, commonly used.
The study found that people with no pre-existing cognitive issues who are taking at least one anticholinergic medication are 47% more likely to develop cognitive impairment. The risk is even higher among people with a genetic vulnerability for Alzheimer’s disease.
Anti-Anxiety Drugs
Anti-anxiety medications—such as Valium, Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin—are benzodiazepines that can be effective for acute anxiety when used on a short-term basis. However, brain SPECT imaging studies show that “benzos” decrease blood flow to the brain, reduce cerebral activity, and can cause memory problems and confusion.
Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs
About 20% of the body’s cholesterol is found in the brain, more than in any other organ. And the billions of nerve cells in the brain require essential fatty acids to communicate and function properly.
When cholesterol levels in the brain are too low, it may impair connectivity, which is important for memory and learning.
A 2018 review of existing studies on statins and memory loss have found conflicting results, but some show an association between the drugs and cognitive impairment.
Antidepressants
Some medications used to treat depression have been linked with memory problems. For example, tricyclic antidepressants are believed to cause memory loss by blocking the action of two important neurochemicals—norepinephrine and serotonin—that are involved in cognition and memory.
A 2018 review in Behavioral Neurology found that in elderly people, taking antidepressant medication—especially tricyclic or MAOI types—is significantly associated with an increased risk of dementia.
In this same study, another type of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were also linked to a heightened risk for dementia in elderly patients.
Opioid Painkillers
Narcotic pain medications block the sensation of pain by disrupting the transmission of pain signals from the central nervous system to receptors throughout the body. The chemical messengers responsible for this process are also critical to memory and cognitive function.
As a result, using narcotic painkillers can cause both short-term and long-term memory issues, particularly when these medications are used for extended periods. According to research in Pain Physician, long-term opioid use led to cognitive impairment, including working memory deficits, decreased spatial memory, and more.
Sleep Aids
Sleep drugs, such as Ambien and Lunesta, may reduce critical REM sleep and are associated with morning grogginess, brain fog, and memory problems.
Using sleep medication was associated with a 48% increased risk of dementia in a 2023 study published in Journals of Gerontology.
Anti-Seizure Drugs
Some medications that are used in the treatment of seizures (epilepsy or convulsions), mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and nerve pain, may cause cognitive problems. Antiseizure medications work by slowing down abnormal electrical signals in the brain, which can lead to memory loss.
Findings from a 2018 study indicate that using antiepileptic drugs for over one year significantly increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
General Anesthesia
Having surgery comes with a host of possible complications, such as infections, blood clots, and nausea. Many people are surprised to learn that postsurgical complications can also include memory problems.
Research on the relationship between general anesthesia and memory problems is mixed, but a paper in Alzheimer’s & Dementia found an increased risk of dementia in people with a history of general anesthesia.
In addition, a before-and-after SPECT study of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery showed that 68% had diminished blood flow, which was linked to decreased verbal and visual memory six months later.
MEMORY RESCUE
If you’re experiencing memory problems and are concerned that it may be related to medication, be aware that there are natural alternatives to anti-anxiety pills, antidepressants, and sleep aids. Be sure to talk to your doctor before stopping any prescription drugs.
In the meantime, get serious about your brain health with memory-boosting lifestyle strategies, including:
- Eating healthy foods
- Exercising daily to boost blood flow to the brain
- Engaging in mental exercise
Adopting a brain-healthy lifestyle worked for Susan, an Amen Clinics patient who called in tears after knee surgery. She said she couldn’t think clearly and was having trouble with her memory. She was convinced she was getting Alzheimer’s disease.
Susan had already had a SPECT scan, but she felt like something had changed and asked for a follow-up scan. Her new brain scan didn’t look healthy. It had a toxic appearance and significantly worse activity in her frontal lobes and temporal lobes, both of which are involved in memory.
It was clear that something bad had happened to her brain since her previous scan. The anesthesia from the surgery and postsurgical painkillers may have contributed to her cognitive decline.
However, by following the brain healthy regimen that is part of the Amen Clinics Memory Rescue program, her memory and thinking improved dramatically. With a brain-based treatment approach, yours can too.
Reviewed by Amen Clinics Inc. Clinicians
