A new study published in Neurology provides reassurance for older adults needing antibiotic treatment, indicating that antibiotic use does not elevate the risk of cognitive decline or dementia. The research, which followed over 13,500 Australian seniors, found no significant cognitive differences between those who used antibiotics and those who did not.
Study Details and Findings
The study involved healthy individuals over the age of 70 participating in a clinical trial assessing the benefits of low-dose aspirin. Researchers reviewed prescription records to determine antibiotic usage, with approximately 63% of participants using antibiotics at least once over a two-year period. Cognitive function was monitored for an average of five years through regular testing of memory, attention, executive function, language, and reasoning.
During the study period, over 460 participants developed dementia, and nearly 2,600 experienced cognitive impairment. However, the analysis revealed no association between antibiotic use and either cognitive impairment or dementia, even after adjusting for other risk factors. Furthermore, there was no link found between cognitive problems and cumulative antibiotic use, continued use, or specific types of antibiotics.
Expert Commentary
Dr. Andrew Chan, a professor at Harvard Medical School and senior researcher for the study, noted that the findings are particularly reassuring given the frequent prescription of antibiotics for older adults, who are already at a higher risk for cognitive decline. While the current study offers significant insights, Dr. Chan and accompanying editorial writers emphasize the need for further research to confirm these findings and explore potential long-term effects.
Future Research Directions
An editorial co-written by Wenjie Cai and Alden Gross, epidemiologists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, highlighted the necessity for future studies to document precise antibiotic dosage and duration, as well as to investigate the impact of different classes of antibiotics on cognition. The editorial also pointed out that the current study's reliance on prescription records limited the ability to track actual antibiotic use accurately.
Implications for Clinical Practice
These findings suggest that concerns about antibiotics contributing to cognitive decline in older adults may be unfounded. However, healthcare professionals should continue to prescribe antibiotics judiciously, considering the broader implications of antibiotic resistance and the importance of gut health. Further research will help refine our understanding of the relationship between antibiotic use and long-term cognitive function.
