Benzodiazepine use and the risk for dementia

Emerging evidence indicates that the use of benzodiazepines among older adults may increase the risk of development of dementia. A review of the literature identified 13 studies investigating this link. Eight studies found a positive association between the use of benzodiazepines and development of dementia. Two studies found no such association, two had mixed results and one study found that benzodiazepine use reduced the incidence of dementia. As none of these studies were controlled prospective studies, causality could not be ascertained. The association identified between the use of benzodiazepines and the development of dementia is a cause for concern among older adults.