Do Antidepressants Contribute to the Risk for Dementia?

Depression has been associated with increased risk for dementia. Now, researchers have used the Taiwanese national health registry to examine whether antidepressant medications, independent of depression and other conditions linked to subsequent dementia, might contribute to dementia risk.

The investigators identified 5819 individuals who received antidepressant prescriptions for any reason between 2003 and 2006 on at least two occasions more than 30 days apart. Of this group, 17% were diagnosed with depression (major depression, dysthymic disorder, or depressive disorder not otherwise specified), 24% with an anxiety disorder, and 20% with insomnia; many others had assorted medical conditions considered risk factors for dementia. A compariso…