Psychoactive Drugs For Alzheimer’s Can Increase Risk of Death

Benzodiazepines and related drugs are frequently used in the treatment of anxiety, agitation, and insomnia in persons with dementia.

Benzodiazepine and related drug use increase the risk of death, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland.

The study found that the risk of death was increased right from the initiation of benzodiazepine and related drug use. The increased risk of death may result from the adverse events of these drugs, including fall-related injuries, such as hip fractures, as well as pneumonia and stroke.

Risk Factors for Alzheimers Disease
Cognitively normal adults exhibiting atrophy of their temporal lobe or damage to blood vessels in the brain are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

‘Benzodiazepine and related drug use are associated with a 40 percent increase in mortality among persons with Alzheimer's disease.’

The study was based on the register-based MEDALZ (Medication Use and Alzheimer's Disease) cohort, which includes all persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in Finland during 2005-2011.

Persons who had used benzodiazepines and related drugs previously were excluded from this study, and therefore, the study population consisted of 10,380 new users of these drugs. They were compared with 20,760 persons who did not use these drugs.

Although several treatment guidelines state that non-pharmacological options are the first-line treatment of anxiety, agitation and insomnia in persons with dementia, benzodiazepines, and related drugs are frequently used in the treatment of these symptoms.

Diseases Related to Old Age
Ageing is referred to the accumulation of changes that brings a person closer to death.

If benzodiazepine and related drug use are necessary, these drugs are recommended for short-term use only. These new results encourage more consideration for benzodiazepine and related drug use in persons with dementia.

Source-Eurekalert

Modified Atkins Diet: All You Need to Know
Modified Atkins diet designed for weight loss and to treat seizures is high in fat and low in carbohydrates. Discover how this diet is different from the ketogenic diet.

Caring for Alzheimers disease patients
Alzheimer's disease is a complex brain disorder that triggers the most common form of dementia. The slide show will show how patients need support and care as dementia progresses.