Combining antlcholinerglc medications could be associated with cognitive impairment in the elderly

摘要

A recently published study suggests that anticholergenic side effects of a number of commonly prescribed medications could have a cumulative and detrimental effect upon cognitive function in elderly patients taking these medications. Elderly people often suffer comor-bid conditions and may be prescribed a number of medications concomitantly. Several commonly prescribed medications for conditions such as heart disease, depression and allergies are known or thought to have anticholergenic properties, meaning that they affect the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, impacting nervous function.