01/24/2026
New research on gabapentin and dementia
Nearly every one of our neuropathy patients have been prescribed Gabapentin/Neurontin. We’ve been saying this for YEARS! Get to the root cause.
BREAKING: Popular Painkiller Gabapentin Tied to Elevated Dementia Risk, Especially in Younger Adults
St. Louis, Missouri – January 21, 2026 – A widely prescribed medication for chronic pain and neuropathy is under fresh scrutiny after a large-scale study linked long-term use of gabapentin to significantly higher chances of cognitive decline and dementia, with the risks appearing most pronounced among adults under 65.
The findings, published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, come from an analysis of medical records for 26,416 adults with chronic low back pain.  Researchers found that patients who filled six or more prescriptions for gabapentin faced a 29% increased risk of dementia diagnosis and an 85% higher likelihood of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over a 10-year follow-up period compared to those not taking the drug.
“This association is particularly alarming for non-elderly adults,” said lead author Nafis B. Eghrari of the research team, which included Isabella H. Yazji, Bryan Yavari, Gustaf M. Van Acker, and Chong H. Kim.  In the 18-64 age group, gabapentin users showed more than double the risk of dementia and 2.5 times the risk of MCI. The study even highlighted a dose-response effect: those with 12 or more prescriptions had 40% higher dementia odds and 65% greater MCI risk than patients with just three to 11 fills.
Gabapentin, sold under brand names like Neurontin, has exploded in popularity over the last decade as a go-to alternative to opioids for managing chronic conditions like low back pain. It works by calming overactive nerve signals to ease discomfort, but experts warn this same action might disrupt vital brain pathways involved in memory, learning, and overall cognition.
The study builds on a body of earlier research with conflicting results.  For instance, a 1999 randomized crossover study by Meador et al. in Neurology found gabapentin worsened attention, vigilance, and cognitive processing in healthy adults, while a 2018 prospective observational study by Shem et al. in PM&R reported cognitive declines in spinal cord injury patients starting the drug.
Health officials and neurologists are now calling for heightened vigilance. “Clinicians should routinely assess memory, attention, and cognitive function in patients on extended gabapentin therapy,” the researchers urged in their report.  They emphasize the need for more rigorous, prospective trials to clarify causation.
For millions relying on gabapentin, the news encourages patients to have informed conversations with doctors about risks, benefits, and alternatives. As one expert noted, “This drug could remain a valuable option for many, but prudence is key in long-term use.”
The study utilized de-identified data from the TriNetX national database spanning 2004-2024, adjusting for factors like age, comorbidities, and other medications to strengthen its conclusions.
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