If you—or someone you love—takes gabapentin for chronic back pain, nerve pain, or other conditions, a new large-scale study delivers urgent, sobering news: this widely prescribed medication may carry a hidden risk most patients never hear about: a significantly increased chance of dementia and cognitive decline—especially in younger adults.

🔬 The Study: Key Facts

Led by: Case Western Reserve University

Data: Analyzed 26,414 U.S. adults prescribed gabapentin for chronic low-back pain

Compared to: A matched group with similar pain who did not take gabapentin

Timeframe: Followed patients for up to 10 years

Published in: Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine

📉 The Alarming Findings

Age Group

Dementia Risk

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Risk

35–49