Possible link with chronic Benzodiazepine use and Alzheimers

[healthy11]

news.yahoo.com/chronic-common-sedative-linked-alzheimers-risk-234653544.html
Researchers in France and Canada just released a study which found that patients who had extensively used benzodiazepines for at least three months in the past, were up to 51 percent more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The risk rose the longer the patient had used the drug. Benzodiazepines are used to treat sleeplessness and anxiety -- symptoms that are also common among people just before an Alzheimer's diagnosis. The statistical association could be the drugs were being used to ease Alzheimer's early symptoms, rather than causing it. The investigators acknowledge that more studies are needed.

For a list of brand name drugs containing benzo, see www.benzobuddies.org/benzodiazepine-information/benzo-list/

[dw]

I wouldn't be surprised if the association with benzodiazepines holds out.
As a prescriber (FNP) I see this class of drugs by folks over 50-60 years old, can make them quite goofy and demented for a while. It can be frightening.
Even my own dh, who is over 65, got midazolam, a benzo, for cataract surgery, to "relax" and induce amnesia of the brief surgery. The first time the demented, delirious behavior lasted 6 days and was severe. He fell twice but fortunately did not break anything. The eye doc said it was impossible, as midazolam is a short acting benzodiazepine, the eye doctor said "it must be something else!"
The second eye, a few weeks later, they said they would not give him the midazolam,but then they did give it to him, 1/3 the dose. The effects still lasted 6 days, but it was less severe, no falling. It is disconcerting to see dementia like symptoms in one's older spouse. It was not fun living through the month of August. He does not remember it, due to the amnesia effects.
Beware of this class of drugs when you are over 60.