Long-Term Antidepressant Use and Dementia Risk: A Propensity Score-Matched Study of Swiss Older Adults, with an Anticholinergic-Specific Analysis - Takeaways - MDSpire

Long-Term Antidepressant Use and Dementia Risk: A Propensity Score-Matched Study of Swiss Older Adults, with an Anticholinergic-Specific Analysis

  • By

  • Melanie A. Amrein

  • Michael P. Hengartner

  • Markus Näpflin

  • Renato Farcher

  • Carola A. Huber

  • June 10, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    The study analyzed 19,155 individuals aged 65 and older who used antidepressants for more than 2 years.

  • 2

    Long-term antidepressant use was linked to higher odds of developing dementia compared to matched non-users.

  • 3

    The research emphasizes the need to consider cognitive risks associated with prolonged antidepressant treatment in older adults.

  • 4

    Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were specifically analyzed due to their strong anticholinergic properties and potential dementia risk.

  • 5

    The study utilized healthcare claims data from Switzerland to conduct a longitudinal, propensity score matched analysis.

Original Source(s)

Long-Term Antidepressant Use and Dementia Risk: A Propensity Score-Matched Study of Swiss Older Adults, with an Anticholinergic-Specific Analysis

  • by Melanie A. Amrein, Michael P. Hengartner, Markus Näpflin, Renato Farcher, Carola A. Huber

  • June 10, 2026

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