New research reveals psychiatric medications linked to higher risk of developing motor neurone disease

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New research reveals psychiatric medications linked to higher risk of developing motor neurone disease

People who use psychiatric medications to treat mental illness are more likely to develop the most common form of motor neurone disease, a new study has revealed.

The research out of Sweden compared the use of anxiolytics, hypnotics or sedatives, and antidepressants — medications often used to treat anxiety and depression — among 1057 people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Sweden and over 5000 people without the condition.

ALS is a form of motor neurone disease that causes the progressive weakening of muscles eventually leading to people losing the ability to walk, talk, chew and even breathe.

The study found having at least two prescriptions for psychiatric medications was associated with a higher risk of ALS.

The use of anxiolytics was linked to a 34 per cent higher future risk of developing motor neurone disease and a 25 per cent higher risk if a person took antidepressants.

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Those who took hypnotics or sedatives had a 21 per cent higher risk of developing the condition.

Patients with ALS who had used these medications prior to diagnosis, especially antidepressants, also had a faster functional decline and a shorter survival time compared with patients who hadn’t had those drugs.

International researchers say these results could either be because of the medications themselves or due to the underlying mental illnesses the people who developed motor neurone disease had.

Previous research has suggested an increased risk of developing motor neurone disease among those that suffer from a mental health condition.

Motor neurone disease itself can also lead to emotional distress and mental health conditions including depression and anxiety.

Queensland Brain Institute associate professor Susannah Tye said this study added to the growing evidence that individuals with psychiatric conditions may face an elevated risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

“Psychiatric disorders are associated with chronic stress, systemic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction, which are increasingly linked to neurodegeneration,” she said.

“This study adds to that picture but doesn’t prove that medications cause the risk.

“In fact, with appropriate use, psychiatric treatments may help protect the brain by reducing the biological burden of stress.

“Instead of immediately signalling an alarm about the use of psychiatric medications, the data in this study further underscore the need for early, integrated care that treats brain health as essential to mental health.”

The study authors concluded further research was needed to differentiate the effect of psychiatric medications from the effect of underlying mental disorders on the risk of ALS development.

Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health professor Anthony Hannah said it would be important to follow up these findings.

“Considering that this devastating disorder is currently incurable, and usually kills patients within a few years of diagnosis, any new approaches to help sufferers and their families are urgently needed,” he said.

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