Popular painkiller found to harm memory: one of America’s most used, experts urge a safer alternative
Some widely used medications may have significant cognitive effects, both positive and negative, according to a new study.
The National Library of Medicine, the repository of scientific articles from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) – a U.S. government agency – has made available The Cognitive Footprint of Medication Use, a study examining the impact of various drugs on the brain.
The researchers concluded that “medications with positive cognitive effects are less common, but their overall usage volume is quite high.”
They also noted that the cognitive impact of commonly used drugs “can be substantial at the population level, with negative effects comparable to other modifiable factors such as pollution.”
Ibuprofen vs paracetamol
One of the medications analyzed in the study was acetaminophen (paracetamol). As stated in the NIH publication, it “emerges as a drug consistently associated with an adverse effect which, due to its widespread use, has a significant negative footprint.”
“A previous review of long-term acetaminophen use has also indicated adverse effects,” the experts added.
By contrast, both glucosamine and ibuprofen were found to “consistently demonstrate beneficial cognitive effects,”according to the researchers. They further explained that these two drugs “have divergent effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rat models – long-term acetaminophen use was linked to a decrease, while glucosamine led to an increase.”
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment
Your opinion will be published with first and last names