A Popular Nerve-Pain Drug May Raise Dementia Risk

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Millions of Americans are living with chronic pain, and many are prescribed a medication often marketed as a safer alternative for pain management. While that may or may not be, a recent large-scale US study found that this very medication, gabapentin, may be linked to higher rates of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. While this doesn’t prove that gabapentin causes dementia, it does raise alarm bells about its effects on long-term brain health. Several other medications, such as oxybutynin used for overactive bladder or benztropine used for Parkinson’s disease, have been previously linked to a possible increased risk of dementia. We’re going to take a deep dive into what this medication does, what the researchers found, and what questions you may want to ask your doctor at your next visit.

What is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is a medication that is approved to treat seizure disorders, nerve pain, and restless leg syndrome. It works by essentially calming down nerve signals, and in doing so, is an effective treatment for seizures and nerve-related pain syndromes. Additional well-known seizure medications include valproic acid, phenytoin, and carbamazepine. A well-known nerve-related pain syndrome is postherpetic neuralgia, characterized by nerve pain that can occur after a shingles infection. Additional medications considered for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia include amitriptyline or nortriptyline. Commonly known adverse effects include sedation, dizziness, and balance issues. What hasn’t been known is the possible link to dementia and mild cognitive impairment in those who take the commonly prescribed medication for nerve pain and seizures. Next, we will take a deep dive into what is likely the largest study to date, evaluating this potential correlation.

The New Study: What The Researchers Actually Did

This large-scale study, conducted in the US in July 2025, was published in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, part of the BMJ Group. Through an analysis of millions of electronic medical records from U.S. patients between 2004 and 2024, they were able to identify over 26,000 adults with chronic low back pain who were prescribed gabapentin. They were then matched to a similar group of patients who were not prescribed the medication. To avoid skewing results, they avoided including those with prior use of gabapentin and those who had dementia, stroke, epilepsy, or cancer.

What the Study Found – The Part That’s Raising Eyebrows

The results of this study are interesting. The study found that those who had six or more gabapentin prescriptions had a 29% higher likelihood of being diagnosed with dementia and an 85% higher likelihood of being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. This risk was also found to increase with the frequency of dosage, suggesting a possible correlation. Additionally, adults under 65 were found to have twice the risk of developing either dementia or mild cognitive impairment as well. While the researchers report that this doesn’t mean gabapentin causes dementia, it does raise questions about a potential link that warrants further research.

What This Means for Patients

Firstly, do not stop gabapentin suddenly – always speak to your doctor before making any changes, especially since gabapentin should be tapered under direct medical supervision. The results suggest a possible link, but this study only recommends that further research is needed to investigate a potential correlation. What the experts recommend is to review your medication dose and frequency with your doctor, discuss potential non-pharmacological strategies (such as physical therapy) with your doctor that could be added to your regimen, and ask your doctor about monitoring your memory, especially as you age. As we will discuss next, it may be prudent to consult with your doctor about the following strategies that can help maintain your cognitive health.

Practical Strategies for Protecting Your Cognitive Health

As always, it’s essential to consider factors that contribute to our overall health, including our brain health. These include keeping blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in healthy ranges, seeking treatment for underlying depression or anxiety, and the following additional strategies:

• Stay physically active

• Prioritize good sleep hygiene

• Manage chronic stress

• Engage in regular mental stimulation

• Maintain social connections

These are important, practical strategies for not only maintaining our overall health but also a healthy brain.

The Bottom Line

So, what should you take away from all of this? A recent major study in the US suggests a possible link between gabapentin use and an increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. However, as stated by the researchers themselves, it does not prove that gabapentin causes dementia and only serves to recommend that further research be carried out and additional discussions be had. The discussions have now been sparked, and rest assured that further research will be carried out to investigate this possible link. Most importantly, always speak to your doctor before making any changes – and start a conversation about your brain health today.

References:

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/gabapentin-drug-information?search=gabapentin&topicRef=2221&source=see_link

https://rapm.bmj.com/content/early/2025/07/02/rapm-2025-106577

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search?search=post%20herpetic%20neuralgia%20treatment&sp=0&searchType=PLAIN_TEXT&source=USER_INPUT&autoComplete=true

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2025/11/13/dementia-risk-music-listen-study/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/high-levels-troponin-heart-damage-biomarker-middle-age-increased-dementia-risk

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-alzheimer-danger-years-symptoms.html

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