Study Finds Antibiotics Do Not Affect Cognition

A recent study published in the journal Neurology found that antibiotics do not increase the risk of cognitive impairment or dementia in healthy older adults. Researchers assessed 13,571 participants over 70 years old, all initially free of cognitive issues, and tracked their antibiotic use over time. Despite past concerns about antibiotics disrupting the gut microbiome and potentially harming brain health, the study revealed no significant cognitive decline linked to antibiotic use. Approximately 63% of participants used antibiotics at least once during the study, but cognitive tests showed no differences between users and non-users. Study author Dr. Andrew Chan from Harvard Medical School stated that the findings provide reassurance regarding the safety of antibiotics for older adults. The research highlights the importance of addressing both gut and brain health in older populations without fearing cognitive risks from antibiotic treatments.