Prescribed to treat asthma, severe allergies, or autoimmune diseases , corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatories. However, their prolonged use, particularly orally, is not without risk to the nervous system.
Research has shown that these medications can alter the very structure of the brain. Glucocorticoids, such as prednisone, disrupt brain function by influencing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Excess cortisol eventually damages the hippocampus, a brain region absolutely vital for memory. A large study conducted in the United Kingdom on over 500,000 people confirmed an increased risk of dementia in patients using corticosteroids to treat their asthma. It is therefore recommended to use them at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest possible duration.
2. Anticholinergics
This class of medications is widely used to relieve Parkinson’s disease, overactive bladder, and certain respiratory disorders. Their mechanism of action involves blocking acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for learning and memory.
Prolonged blockade of this neurotransmitter has disastrous consequences for cognitive function. According to research conducted by the University of Washington that followed more than 3,500 elderly people over a decade, regular use of anticholinergics increases the risk of developing dementia by 54%. This risk increases proportionally with the dose and duration of treatment.
3. Proton pump inhibitors (Omeprazole)
Omeprazole, pantoprazole, and esomeprazole are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), widely used to relieve heartburn, acid reflux, and gastritis. While they offer rapid relief by reducing stomach acid, their chronic use poses alarming risks to neurological health .
A study of nearly 6,000 individuals revealed that 33% of patients taking these medications for more than four and a half years experienced cognitive impairment. This phenomenon is largely explained by the fact that reduced stomach acidity hinders the proper absorption of vitamin B12. Prolonged vitamin B12 deficiency is a known cause of severe neurological disorders and an increased risk of dementia.Food
4. Benzodiazepines
