The Relationship Between Anticholinergic Medication Exposure, Daytime Functioning, and Self-Reported Memory Difficulties Among Older Adults

Abstract

Anticholinergics are commonly used in older populations to treat illnesses like overactive bladder, depression, allergic reactions, and sleep disorders. Given that acetylcholine is involved in the processes of attention, learning, and memory, it follows that drugs which inhibit its effects have the potential to impact both cognition and behavior. Due to age-related alterations in the rate of drug metabolism, reduced levels of cholinergic neurons, and polypharmacy in older individuals, the impact of anticholinergics is magnified in this population. However, the influence of anticholinergic medication exposure on day-to-day functioning and self-reported memory problems is rarely studied together. This paper is aimed at analyzing the association between anticholinergic exposure, daytime functioning, and self-reported memory problems among older community-dwelling adults 65 years and older. The study will employ a descriptive, cross-sectional approach in which anticholinergic burden will be determined by means of medication history using a burden measure, daytime functioning will be assessed in terms of activity and alertness measures, and difficulties in memory will be assessed by means of a self-report questionnaire. The study will point out the need to consider exposure, functioning, and memory difficulties as interrelated aspects rather than unrelated issues. The results of the study will provide justification for medication review, functional screening, and safer medication use.