Common back-pain drug may be linked to higher dementia risk, large study finds

that received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) within 10 years.

The risk was not just limited to older adults. In fact, it was younger American people who saw the most dramatic increases.

Younger adults saw shocking risk increases

For people normally considered decades away from dementia:

– Ages 35–49 taking gabapentin had more than double the risk of dementia.

– Their risk of MCI more than tripled.

– Adults 50–64 saw similarly elevated risks.–

Only those 18–34 showed no increased risk.

Researchers published their