11-07-2025
Experts link widely taken medicine to faster decline in old age
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Vishwam Sankaran Friday 11 July 2025 08:54 BST
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A new study suggests that frequent consumption of anticholinergic drugs, prescribed for conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Parkinson's, may lead to faster ageing in older adults.
Published in JAMA Open Network , the research indicates that high exposure to these medications is linked to an 'accelerated decline' in physical performance.
, the research indicates that high exposure to these medications is linked to an 'accelerated decline' in physical performance. The study, which monitored over 4,000 older adults, found a significant association between higher anticholinergic exposure and a greater reduction in walking speed.
Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine, a key nerve-to-nerve signalling molecule, affecting various bodily functions.
Researchers are calling for the minimisation of anticholinergic drug prescriptions to promote healthy ageing, advising clinicians to avoid their use when possible and to re-evaluate patients regularly. In full
