Artificial intelligence (AI) can assist doctors in identifying patients who may experience anticholinergic side effects from commonly prescribed medications, ensuring more accurate and effective treatment.
Many medications, including those for bladder treatment, antidepressants, antihistamines (for allergies), stomach pain, and Parkinson’s disease, have varying degrees of anticholinergic effects. Older adults frequently use these common medications.
The assessment of a new tool to determine which medications are more likely to cause anticholinergic side effects (which inhibit the action of the neurotransmitter) in the body and brain has been conducted under the direction of the University of Exeter in the UK and the mental health trust “Kent & Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust.”
Anticholinergic side effects include disorientation, blurred vision, dizziness, falls, and cognitive decline…
Recent findings from these two organizations were published in the journal Age & Aging. According to this scientific report, many prescription and over-the-counter medications affect the brain by inhibiting the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, potentially leading to adverse anticholinergic effects on the body.
Anticholinergic side effects include disorientation, blurred vision, dizziness, falls, and cognitive decline. The anticholinergic effects of medications may increase fall risk and are associated with a higher risk of mortality. Long-term use of these medications is linked to an increased risk of dementia.
To address this issue, researchers developed a tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to calculate the negative impacts of various medications. Scientists have designed and built the International Anticholinergic Cognitive Load Tool (IACT), an online tool that uses chemical structure analysis and natural language processing to identify medications with side effects that cause anticholinergic effects.
This is the first tool to utilize machine learning technology to create an automatically updated resource accessible through an online portal.
Anticholinergic load is calculated using a scoring method based on documented adverse effects, closely aligned with the chemical structure of the medication being considered for prescription, allowing the AI system to score more accurately and update more effectively than any previous assessment methods.
The tool was developed following additional investigative studies and computational modeling using real patient data, enhancing the ability to mitigate risks from common medications when prescribed to specific patients.
Professor Chris Fox from the University of Exeter, one of the study’s authors, stated: “The use of medications with anticholinergic side effects can cause significant harm such as falls and confusion, but this is an avoidable issue. This research aims to alleviate harmful side effects, as unwanted side effects can lead to hospital admissions and mortality. This new analytical and evaluation tool provides the ability to move towards a more personalized approach to medication, ensuring that the right condition is treated safely and effectively, avoiding unwanted anticholinergic side effects.”
The research team surveyed and gathered feedback from 110 healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and prescribing nurses. 85% of the healthcare experts indicated that they would actively use the tool to assess the risk of anticholinergic side effects for each patient. Scientists also collected feedback from healthcare professionals regarding the tool’s functionality, user-friendliness, and convenience to further improve the tool.
Dr. Saber Sami from the University of East Anglia in the UK stated: “Our tool is the first to utilize innovative AI technology in efforts to reduce anticholinergic load. After developers conducted thorough and in-depth research, the AI-based tool will assist pharmacists and healthcare professionals in determining the best treatment methods for patients and prescribing medications effectively.”
Professor Ian Maidment from Aston University remarked: “I have worked in this field for over 20 years. Anticholinergic side effects can leave patients frail and very weak. We always need advanced, effective technologies to accurately assess side effects for each patient.”
