Sleeping Pills and Dementia Risk: What the UCSF Study Reveals
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco conducted a long-term look at how sleep medications relate to dementia risk. The findings emerged from a large cohort of older adults who had no dementia at the study’s start. The project followed nearly 3,000 participants over an average span of about nine years. By the end of the period, roughly one in five had developed some form of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common diagnosis. In white participants who used sleeping pills regularly, the risk of developing dementia appeared significantly higher than in those who used them seldom or not at all. Specifically, frequent users in this group showed a markedly elevated risk compared with infrequent users.
The study also observed distinct patterns among Black participants. On average, Black individuals in the study were three times less likely to use sleep medications. For this group, use of sleeping pills did not show a measurable impact on dementia risk. The researchers discuss several possible explanations for these race-related differences, including socioeconomic factors. It is suggested that Black participants who had better access to medications might often possess higher socioeconomic status and greater cognitive reserve, which could buffer against dementia even when sleep aids were used.
Another possible explanation centers on the specific types of medications involved. White participants who used sleeping pills were more likely to take benzodiazepines and also more likely to use certain antidepressants such as trazodone. In the Black group, the patterns of medication use differed notably, which might contribute to the divergent dementia outcomes observed in the study.
As with most observational research, the authors caution that causality cannot be firmly established from these findings alone. They emphasize the need for future studies to confirm the relationships and to uncover the mechanisms behind them. In the meantime, the researchers propose considering non-drug approaches first for sleep difficulties. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia is highlighted as a potential initial strategy. If non-pharmacologic methods fail to provide relief, melatonin is suggested as a safer alternative for some individuals, pending professional guidance.
These conclusions add to a growing body of evidence about how sleep health intersects with cognitive aging. They underscore the importance of individualized risk assessment when prescribing sleep medications and the value of exploring behavioral and lifestyle interventions before or alongside pharmacologic options. Researchers and clinicians alike are urged to weigh potential risks and benefits carefully, particularly in populations that may have differing baseline risks for dementia. [Citation: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease; UCSF study cohort; attribution to the authors of the original study. ]