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Relationship between anticholinergic burden and mortality in the elderly
Author(s) -
Lam Y. W. Francis
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the brown university psychopharmacology update
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1556-7532
pISSN - 1068-5308
DOI - 10.1002/pu.30593
Subject(s) - anticholinergic , cholinergic , medicine , cognition , muscarinic acetylcholine receptor , anticholinergic agents , cognitive decline , cognitive impairment , antagonism , neuroscience , pharmacology , psychology , receptor , psychiatry , dementia , disease
Impairment of cognitive function in elderly patients poses a major concern, with cholinergic deficits that accompany the normal aging process thought to contribute to cognitive decline. Central muscarinic receptors, which mediate cognitive effects such as attention, learning, and short‐term memory, can also be blocked by anticholinergic drugs or drugs with significant anticholinergic effects. This pharmacologic antagonism explains the increased sensitivity of elderly patients to these agents.