The increased risk was particularly pronounced in individuals who had biomarkers for Alzheimer’s in their cerebrospinal fluid and in those with an increased genetic risk of developing the illness.“We believe this interaction between anticholinergic drugs and Alzheimer’s risk biomarkers acts in a ‘double hit’ manner,” says Alexandra Weigand, who led the study.
In the first hit, she explains, Alzheimer’s biomarkers indicate that degeneration begins in a small region of the brain called the basal forebrain, which produces acetylcholine. “In the second hit, anticholinergic drugs further deplete the brain’s store of acetylcholine,” she says. “This combined effect most significantly impacts a person’s thinking and memory.”The results of the study.