Drug-Related Dementia

Compared with Alzheimer's disease, which causes 50% to 60% of dementia cases, drug-related dementia accounts for an estimated 5% of cognitive deterioration.



Many medications taken by older people can cause subtle cognitive impairment. But when older people take several drugs simultaneously -- as many do -- significant cognitive problems may emerge that mimic Alzheimer's disease: memory loss, absent-mindedness, confusion, disorientation, and emotional outbursts. Alcohol use aggravates drug-related dementia.



If you suspect a loss of cognitive function, give the affected individual's physician a list of all the medications he or she takes -- both prescription and over-the-counter -- as well as an estimate of their amount of alcohol use. Removal of the offending drug(s) allows recovery of cognitive function. Of course, the affected individual may not be able to discontinue medications that are medically necessary. But dose adjustments and drug substitutions may help.