Journal of Aging Science

Risks of falls and cognitive impairment subsequent to certain drugs consumption in seniors : a translational approach

Webinar on Global Summit on Geriatrics & Aging

December 02, 2021 | Webinar

Elpidio Attoh-Mensah

University of Caen Normandy

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Aging Sci

Abstract:

Psychotropic drugs and drugs with anticholinergic properties (anti-muscarinics) have been associated with risks of falls and cognitive impairment in the elderly. Our work aimed at improving knowledge about the role of these drugs in gait and cognitive impairment. We first showed that daily consumption of 2 or more psychotropic drugs per day and / or only 1 drug with anticholinergic properties, regardless of its anticholinergic burden, is associated with impaired scores on gait and cognitive test in a population of seniors from the age of 55 years. With regard to drugs with anticholinergic properties, these adverse effects were more pronounced in people aged 75 years or older. Executive functions were the severely affected by these drugs consumption. We have also shown that among the most prescribed drugs with anticholinergic properties, the consumption of tramadol, a level 2 analgesic, was the most associated with harmful effects on gait and cognition. However, it is difficult to ascertain that these observed adverse effects are solely driven by the consumption of tramadol due to the polypharmacy in this population. To identify the drugs most at risk, animal studies, in which the administration of drugs can be controlled, may be of great interest. Hence, as a second step, we showed that the chronic administration of tramadol impairs executive functions as measured by cognitive flexibility in young adult mice. Altogether these results should alert physicians on the fact that it is crucial to reduce polypharmacy of psychotropic drugs as well as the prescription of all types of drugs with anticholinergic properties. Alternative treatments should be prioritized as soon as possible. With regard to tramadol, these results suggest the need to strengthen the measures taken recently to combat the misuse of this analgesic.

Biography :

Elpidio Attoh-Mensah has completed his PhD at the age of 25 years from University of Caen Normandy and is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the same university. He has published several papers in international reputed journals in the field of drugs and aging. His university studies mirror a strong course of adaptability to changing environments. Indeed, after graduating at High school in Togo (Africa), his home country, he pursued in Morocco a Bachelor of Sciences and a Master of Sciences in Animal Physiology and Neurosciences/Biotechnology, respectively. Thereafter he has been selected amongst fellow Togolese graduated students for a scholarship grant to conduct Ph.D. studies in France.