08/15/2025
A drug widely used to treat nerve pain has been linked with dementia and cognitive impairment.
A new study analyzing over 26,000 patient records has found a significant link between long-term gabapentin use and increased risk of both dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Patients with six or more prescriptions were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85% more likely to develop MCI within a decade.
The risk was even greater among adults aged 35 to 49, prompting researchers to urge physicians to monitor cognitive health in patients using the drug long-term.
Gabapentin has grown in popularity as a less addictive alternative to opioids. However, its mechanism—dampening communication between neurons—may also disrupt critical brain connections, potentially contributing to cognitive decline.
While past research has been inconclusive, this new study’s large sample size offers more weight to the growing concerns. Researchers stress the importance of further investigation to determine whether gabapentin plays a causal role in dementia development or simply correlates with other risk factors in chronic pain patients.
Source: Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine (2025).
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