Grantee in the News: Malaz Boustani’s research in BMJ on the link between antichlolinergic drugs and dementia
April 25, 2018, BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) published research co-authored by 2005 Paul Beeson Career Development Awards in Aging Research awardee and 2000 Center of Excellence Fellow Malaz Boustani, M.D., M.P.H.
In “Anticholinergic drugs and risk of dementia: case-controlled study,” Dr. Boustani and his fellow researchers discovered a strong link between anticholinergic drugs and future dementia risk. The study concludes: “There are robust associations between levels of anticholinergic antidepressants, antiparkinsons, and urologicals and the risk of a diagnosis of dementia up to 20 years after exposure.”
In a related article in PsychCentral, Boustani explains that “these findings make it clear that clinicians need to carefully consider the anticholinergic burden of their patients and weigh other options.” He also recommends that “physicians should review all the anticholinergic medications — including over-the-counter drugs — that patients of all ages are taking and determine safe ways to take individuals off anticholinergic medications in the interest of preserving brain health.”
The research was also picked up by Healthline.
Read the BMJ research here and related articles in PsychCentral and Healthline here and here.
Malaz Boustani, M.D., M.P.H., is a Professor of Medicine and Center Scientist at the Indiana University Center for Aging Research, an Investigator at Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Chief Research Officer at Indianapolis Discovery Network for Dementia, and the Research Director for the Healthy Aging Brain Center.