Two animations have been developed to raise awareness of the risks of developing dementia for patients being treated with anticholinergics. The group of medicines is commonly prescribed for depression, psychosis, bladder disorders, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy.
The research, led by Professor Carol Coupland, co-funded by the ARC East Midlands and the SPCR, has found that anticholinergics taken by people aged 55 years old and over, for the equivalent of three years or more, may increase the risk of developing dementia. Read more about the study.
The digital animation as well as the key messages will be shared through social media over a six-week period targeting patients, with a follow-up campaign planned for the autumn focused on healthcare professionals.
This work has been led by ARC EM’s Implementation Hub Team, which is tasked with disseminating the learning gained from studies to wider audiences in a bid to bridge the gap between research and frontline healthcare.
To access the original research paper:
Anticholinergic Drug Exposure and the Risk of Dementia: A Nested Case-Control Study. Carol A. C. Coupland, Trevor Hill, Tom Dening, Richard Morriss, Michael Moore, Julia Hippisley-Cox
To view the digital animations, click here.
Read the news on the ARC East Midlands website: Campaign to raise awareness of dementia risk linked to type of drug
Below: Public advice animation