Back Pain Pill or Hidden Cognitive Threat? New Study Links Gabapentin to Dramatic Rise in Dementia Risk
What if the pill millions take for back pain is quietly clouding the mind?
Gabapentin—once hailed as a neurological breakthrough for epilepsy and nerve pain—has become a household prescription. But now, unsettling new research suggests the drug may be silently increasing the risk of dementia, especially with prolonged use.
Despite its popularity, gabapentin has flown under the radar. But a new study out of the U.S. suggests it’s time to take a much closer look—especially for patients using it regularly.
The Hidden Cost of Relief
Prescribed under brand names like Neurontin, gabapentin was originally developed to calm overactive nerve activity in epilepsy patients. Over time, it became a go-to treatment for nerve-related pain, including sciatica, post-surgical discomfort, and chronic lower back pain.
But now, scientists at Case Western Reserve University have uncovered a troubling pattern.
After analyzing more than 26,000 American medical records spanning two decades (2004–2024), researchers found that:
Patients who filled six or more gabapentin prescriptions had a 29% higher risk of developing dementia.
Those who filled 12 or more had up to a 40% greater risk—alongside a 65% higher chance of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often considered a precursor to dementia.
These findings weren’t limited to elderly patients. In fact, men and women aged 35 to 49 saw the sharpest spikes—up to four times higher risk of dementia compared to non-users. For comparison, no significant increase in risk was found in patients aged 18 to 34.
How Could This Be Happening?
Gabapentin works by interacting with GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a calming neurotransmitter in the brain.
While the drug doesn’t directly mimic GABA, it modulates how nerves communicate—essentially “turning down the volume” on nerve signals.
This can be effective for pain, but researchers now wonder: what else might be getting muted?
Cognitive function relies heavily on healthy neural communication. Interfering with that process over long periods, some experts believe, might blunt more than just pain.
Correlation, Not Causation—Yet
Importantly, the study doesn’t prove that gabapentin causes dementia. It simply reveals a strong association.
Dr. Leah Mursaleen of Alzheimer’s Research UK urged caution, pointing out that the study didn’t track dosage levels or treatment duration—and that all participants were already dealing with chronic pain, which can contribute to mental decline independently.
Professor Tara Spires-Jones of the University of Edinburgh agreed, emphasizing that low physical activity, often linked to chronic pain, is a well-known risk factor for dementia and wasn’t fully accounted for.
Still, the scale and severity of the link are hard to ignore.
A Drug Millions Rely On
In the UK alone, nearly 800,000 gabapentin prescriptions were issued in 2023–2024. In the U.S., the number is closer to 8 million per year.
Gabapentin is often prescribed long-term for conditions that don’t have quick fixes—chronic sciatica, nerve damage, or spinal pain—making repeated prescriptions extremely common. Yet the potential long-term cognitive risks have barely entered the public conversation.
Despite anecdotal reports from UK families and physicians linking gabapentin to cognitive decline, these incidents have not triggered regulatory action or widespread warnings.
Why Warnings May Be Lacking
One reason this issue may be flying under the radar is that dementia risk develops slowly—and the effects can easily be chalked up to aging, stress, or unrelated mental health issues.
Another reason? Gabapentin isn’t a controlled substance in many countries and was, for years, viewed as a “safer” alternative to opioids. That perception has likely delayed closer scrutiny.
But the conversation is starting to shift.
Rethinking Risk in a Changing Landscape
This new study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that lifestyle, environment, and pharmaceuticals all play intertwined roles in long-term brain health.
Just last year, scientists identified high cholesterol and vision loss as new, preventable dementia risk factors—joining a list that already includes smoking, obesity, and social isolation. When these are combined with certain medications, the picture becomes even more complex—and more urgent.
Dementia currently affects nearly 1 million people in the UK, with Alzheimer’s as the most common form. In 2022, it was the leading cause of death in the country, claiming over 74,000 lives.
That’s not just a statistic—it’s a warning.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Patients and Prescribers
Gabapentin may still play an important role in treating serious nerve-related conditions. But the recent findings demand a closer look, particularly for those taking the drug long-term.
We can’t afford to treat cognitive decline as an inevitable side effect of aging—especially when medications may be playing a hidden role. Experts now urge regular cognitive checkups for long-term gabapentin users, especially those under 50, where the risks appear to spike dramatically.
More research is urgently needed, but one truth is already clear: we must stop assuming that “common” equals safe.
In a world facing a growing dementia crisis, even widely prescribed drugs should face rigorous, ongoing scrutiny. Our minds may depend on it.