New Benzodiazepine Use Is Associated with Risk for Dementia

Benzodiazepines are prescribed often for insomnia and anxiety; however, such symptoms can be early manifestations of dementia when reported in older adults. Although the short-term adverse effects of benzodiazepine use on cognition are recognized, whether benzodiazepine use is associated with excess risk for dementia is unclear. In this prospective, population-based study, investigators assessed the association between benzodiazepine use and incident dementia.

Participants were older adults (mean age, 78) who were free of dementia at baseline and at 5-year follow-up. Ninety-five participants were classified as new benzodiazepine users (no declared benzodiazepine use at baseline or at 3 years of follow-up but declared use at 5 years of follow…