The researchers noted that this was an observational study, so it cannot prove that anticholinergic drugs help cause dementia. Still, scientists do not know a lot about the effects of high blood pressure drugs on Alzheimer’s disease in people. She works in the division of primary care at the University of Nottingham.Anticholinergics are known to cause short-term side effects -- including confusion and memory loss -- but it's unclear if long-term use increases the risk of dementia.To find out, Coupland's team examined the medical records of nearly 59,000 patients in the U.K. with dementia, as well as a control group of more than 225,000 patients without dementia. Medications are known for having potential side effects. Despite their benefits that can treat conditions or diseases, some drugs could lead to new health problems, which in some cases require another treatment. This includes keeping our blood pressure and cholesterol in check as well as not smoking, only drinking within the recommended limits, eating a balanced diet, and staying mentally and physically active.”We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism.We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future.Research found that those given the pills for six months saw a 20 per cent increase in circulation of blood to the hippocampus Instead of suddenly deciding to stop using Medications That Cause Dementia, consult your doctor! This type of damage is a potential cause of strokes suspected of contributing to Alzheimer’s … Some earlier research has shown that high blood pressure drugs were associated with less plaque buildup, even compared to those who did not have high blood pressure. But this trial does not prove that.The study -- funded by government and foundation grants -- included 44 Alzheimer's patients who were about 73 years old, on average. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no Study details: Over a 33-year study period, 385 of more than 8,600 participants developed dementia (at an average age of 75). "Our study adds further evidence of the potential risks associated with strong anticholinergic drugs, particularly antidepressants, bladder antimuscarinic drugs, anti-Parkinson drugs and epilepsy drugs," said study author Carol Coupland. MRI scans may be able to detect early signs of brain damage caused by high blood pressure. In some cases, "alternative treatments should be considered where possible, such as other types of antidepressants or alternative types of treatment for bladder conditions," she said.Coupland added that, "we found a greater risk for people diagnosed with dementia before the age of 80, which indicates that anticholinergic drugs should be prescribed with caution in middle-aged people as well as in older people."Dr. Drugs for high blood pressure and heart disease have been linked to protection from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. But future studies should look into that possibility, they said.In the end, patients on the drug showed a 20% increase in blood flow to the hippocampus -- a brain structure involved in memory and learning that is one of the first areas damaged by Alzheimer's.Experts said the study was too small and short-term to know whether the improved blood flow could have any effect on symptoms.But future research should try to answer that question and should focus on people with early Alzheimer's, said Dr. Jurgen Claassen, the study's lead author.The research is part of a larger trial that looked at whether nilvadipine could improve Alzheimer's patients' memory and thinking skills.