San Francisco – Popping a pill for easier, longer sleep sure sounds convenient, but researchers at the University of California-San Francisco may have many thinking about getting some Ambien. Their study found that various sleep medications, including benzos, Ambien and antidepressants, increased the risk of developing dementia — especially in white people.
However, the research team added that the type and dose of the drug may play a role in explaining the increased risk. Specifically, this work follows previous studies that have shown that African Americans are more likely than Caucasians to develop Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia. That project African Americans have different risk factors and manifestations of dementia.
For this latest study, the study authors analyzed approximately 3,000 elderly people without dementia who lived outside of nursing homes. All these individuals were a part A study of health, aging and body composition, researchers followed up for an average of nine years. Participants had a mean age of 74 years, and 42 percent were black, 58 percent were Caucasian.
Over the course of the study, 20 percent of participants developed Dementia. White participants who “often” or “almost always” took sleeping pills were 79 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who “never” or “rarely” used sleeping pills. Among the black participants in particular, the group that used sleep aids in general was significantly less, frequent users did not appear at all They are more likely to develop dementia. compared to those who avoided sleep medications altogether or rarely used them.
“Disparities can be traced to socioeconomic status,” said first author Yue Leng, Ph.D., from UCSF’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Weill Neuroscience Institute. Leaving the university. “Black participants receiving sleeping pills may be a select group with higher socioeconomic status and higher cognitive ability, making them more susceptible to dementia.”
“Also, some sleep medications may be more prone to dementia than others.”
White people are 3 times more likely to use sleeping pills
Caucasians (7.7%) were three times more likely than blacks (2.7%) to take sleep medications often (5 to 15 times a month) or almost always (16 times a month for daily use), the study authors found. Whites were also nearly twice as likely to use benzodiazepines (Halsion, Dalmane, and Restoril)—the drugs doctors most often prescribe to treat them. Chronic insomnia.
Additionally, the study found that Caucasians were 10 times more likely to use antidepressants sold under the brand names Trazodone, Desirel and Oleptro. Order as a sleep aid. Whites were seven times more likely to take “Z-drugs” like Ambien.
In conclusion, Dr. Leung says future studies may shed more light on the cognitive risks or rewards of sleep medications, as well as the effects of a person’s race. In general, however, it may be a good idea to avoid these medications as much as possible.
“The first step is to decide what kind it is Sleep issues Communicate with patients. If so, a sleep test may be needed Sleep apnea It is possible,” Leng concluded. “If insomnia is diagnosed, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) is the first-line treatment. If medication is used, melatonin may be a safer option, but we need more evidence to understand its long-term effects on health.”
of Research Published in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
