A 2025 study found an association between repeated gabapentin prescriptions for chronic low back pain and higher dementia risk. Here’s what the findings mean and why they don’t prove the medication causes dementia.
Gabapentin is a commonly prescribed medication used for certain types of nerve pain and is sometimes prescribed to people with chronic low back pain. A study published in 2025 has raised questions about a possible connection between repeated gabapentin use and dementia.
What did the study find?
Researchers analyzed medical-record data from 26,416 adults with chronic low back pain after matching patients according to various characteristics.
People who had received six or more gabapentin prescriptions had a 29% higher incidence of dementia compared with matched patients who had not received gabapentin. The study also found an association with mild cognitive impairment.
The association appeared stronger among adults aged 18–64, although this finding should be interpreted carefully because the study was observational.
Does gabapentin cause dementia?
Not necessarily.
This is one of the most important points to understand. The research found an association, not proof that gabapentin itself causes dementia.
People taking gabapentin may differ from non-users in important ways. For example, they may have more severe or persistent pain, other health conditions, sleep problems, depression, or other medication use—all factors that could influence cognitive health.
The researchers themselves called for monitoring and additional research rather than concluding that gabapentin causes dementia.
Why is chronic pain relevant?
Interestingly, the medication may not be the only factor worth considering.
Recent research involving millions of participants has also found that chronic pain itself is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. A 2026 meta-analysis of 28 longitudinal cohorts involving more than 7.9 million participants found a pooled 43% higher odds of dementia among people with chronic pain.
Another large UK Biobank analysis found that chronic widespread pain was associated with substantially higher dementia risk than no pain.
This makes it difficult to determine how much of the observed risk is related to the medication versus the underlying pain and associated health factors.
What should people taking gabapentin do?
Don’t stop gabapentin suddenly without medical advice. Depending on why it was prescribed and the dose, abruptly stopping it can cause problems.
Instead, if you’re taking gabapentin regularly and are concerned about memory or thinking changes, discuss it with your doctor. They can review:
- Why you’re taking the medication
- How long you’ve been taking it
- Your dosage and prescription frequency
- Other medications you’re using
- Any new memory, concentration, or confusion symptoms
- Whether another pain-management approach would be appropriate
Watch for cognitive changes
If someone taking gabapentin develops persistent confusion, significant memory problems, unusual sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, or noticeable changes in behavior, it’s worth discussing these symptoms with a healthcare professional.
At the same time, occasional forgetfulness does not automatically mean dementia.
The bottom line
The study raises an important question: repeated gabapentin use in people with chronic low back pain was associated with higher rates of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. However, it does not establish that gabapentin causes dementia.
The safest takeaway isn’t to panic or stop a prescribed medication. Instead, patients and doctors should weigh the benefits of pain control against potential adverse effects and periodically review whether the medication is still appropriate.