Gabapentin for Back Pain Linked to Increased Risk for Dementia, MCI
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, July 11, 2025 -- For adults with chronic low back pain, gabapentin prescription is associated with an increased risk for dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a study published online July 10 in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.
Nafis B. Eghrari, from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine whether gabapentin prescription is associated with dementia in adults with chronic low back pain. Following propensity score matching, controlling for demographics, comorbidities, and pain medications, 26,416 adults were analyzed.
The researchers found that the incidences of dementia and MCI were increased for patients with six or more gabapentin prescriptions compared with those not prescribed gabapentin (risk ratios [RRs], 1.29 and 1.85, respectively). Nonelderly adults (18 to 64 years) prescribed gabapentin had more than twice the risk for dementia and MCI compared with those not prescribed gabapentin (RRs, 2.10 and 2.50, respectively). A further increase in risk was seen with prescription frequency, with a higher incidence of dementia and MCI for those with 12 or more versus three to 11 prescriptions for gabapentin (RRs, 1.40 and 1.65, respectively).
"We hope the current study promotes further research to delineate whether gabapentin plays a causal role in the development of dementia and the underlying mechanisms of this relationship," the authors write.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted July 2025
Read this next
Helping Others Linked to Higher Level of Cognitive Function
THURSDAY, Aug. 21, 2025 -- Helping others, both via formal volunteering and informal helping, is associated with higher levels of cognitive function and slower cognitive decline...
Adults With Hearing Loss Using Hearing Aids Have Reduced Dementia Risk
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 20, 2025 -- Adults with hearing loss (HL) with hearing aids have a reduced risk for dementia, according to a research letter published online Aug. 18 in JAMA...
Cognitive Impairment, Work Productivity Loss Linked in Bipolar Disorder
MONDAY, Aug. 18, 2025 -- There is a weak correlation between change in cognitive impairment and change in work productivity loss in adults with bipolar disorder, according to a...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.