Depression drug could delay brain injury recovery

Depression drug could delay brain injury recovery

FPJ BureauUpdated: Friday, May 31, 2019, 11:27 PM IST
article-image
Antidepressant use nationally fell by 31 percent among adolescents between 2000 and 2010. Suicide attempts increased by almost 22 percent. |

London : Drugs used to treat a broad range of common conditions including bladder problems, insomnia and depression could delay the recovery of brain injury patients, new research has found, reports IANS.

The study noted that these drugs may have anticholinergic properties that are often used on neuro-rehabilitation units frequently to manage symptoms from urinary incontinence to pain. Anticholinergics are already known to have side effects such as temporary cognitive impairment, dizziness and confusion.

But their effects on people with pre-existing brain and spinal injuries have not been investigated until now. “This work adds to the evidence that anticholinergics should be avoided in a wide-range of populations, when possible,” said one of the researchers Ian Maidment, senior lecturer in clinical pharmacy at Aston University in Birmingham, England.

“Regular medication review by a nurse, doctor or pharmacist may be a way of ensuring that medicines with anti-cholinergic effects are used appropriately,” Maidment noted.

The study of 52 patients with acquired brain or spinal injury at a neuro-rehabilitation unit showed that the average length of stay was longer in patients with a higher level of anticholinergic drugs in their system, known as the anticholinergic drug burden, or ACB.

Results showed that the change in ACB correlated directly to the length of hospital stay.  “While medications with ACB are often needed to treat common complications of brain or spinal cord injuries, cognitive impairment due to the medication may adversely affect a patient’s ability to engage in the rehabilitation process, potentially increasing their length of stay in hospital,” lead study author Chris Fox, professor University of East Anglia in Norwich, England.

RECENT STORIES

Revolutionising Cancer Care: US & India Join Forces For Ground-breaking Collaboration

Revolutionising Cancer Care: US & India Join Forces For Ground-breaking Collaboration

Activists Write To PM Modi Over TB Drug Shortage Ahead Of World TB Day

Activists Write To PM Modi Over TB Drug Shortage Ahead Of World TB Day

Holi 2024: Say Bye-Bye To Skin Allergy With This Simple Home Remedy

Holi 2024: Say Bye-Bye To Skin Allergy With This Simple Home Remedy

Controversy Surrounds New Uniform Code For Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices

Controversy Surrounds New Uniform Code For Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices

Mumbai: Nepali Couple Turns To Wadia Hospital To Save Child's Arm From Amputation

Mumbai: Nepali Couple Turns To Wadia Hospital To Save Child's Arm From Amputation