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Drugs with anticholinergic properties: cognitive and neuropsychiatric side-effects in elderly patients

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Abstract

Drug consumption in older people is usually high and many prescribed medications have unsuspected anticholinergic (ACH) (Table 1) properties. Drug induced ACH side-effects are particularly severe in aging brain and even more in demented patients. This review will focus on the association between ACH drug intake and the risk of developing central nervous system side-effects in elderly people. The threat of developing cognitive impairment, psychosis and delirium will be particularly analyzed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Santa Maria Della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy

    Iacopo Cancelli, Gian Luigi Gigli & Mariarosaria Valente

  2. DPMSC, University of Udine Medical School, Piazza Santa Maria Della Misericordia, 33100, Udine, Italy

    Massimiliano Beltrame, Gian Luigi Gigli & Mariarosaria Valente

Authors
  1. Iacopo Cancelli
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  2. Massimiliano Beltrame
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  3. Gian Luigi Gigli
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  4. Mariarosaria Valente
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Correspondence to Gian Luigi Gigli.

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Cancelli, I., Beltrame, M., Gigli, G.L. et al. Drugs with anticholinergic properties: cognitive and neuropsychiatric side-effects in elderly patients. Neurol Sci 30, 87–92 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0033-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0033-y

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