Millions of Americans rely on gabapentin for chronic back pain — but a major new study suggests there may be a hidden danger: a significantly higher risk of dementia and cognitive problems.
Massive Study Reveals Alarming Trends
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University, analyzing medical records from 68 U.S. health systems, compared 26,414 adults taking gabapentin for chronic low-back pain with a similar group who didn’t use the drug. The results were eye-opening:
- Adults with six or more prescriptions were 29% more likely to develop dementia and 85% more likely to experience mild cognitive impairment (MCI) within 10 years.
- Younger adults faced the biggest risk:
- Ages 35–49 saw more than double the dementia risk and over triple the MCI risk.
- Ages 50–64 also had elevated risks.
- Only those 18–34 showed no significant increase.
The study, published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, emphasizes the need for careful monitoring of patients on long-term gabapentin.
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