Adverse cognitive effect of gabapentin in individuals with spinal cord injury: preliminary findings

This study investigates the impact of gabapentin, a common medication for neuropathic pain, on cognitive functions like memory, attention, and executive function in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The research involved administering neuropsychological tests to SCI patients before, one week after, and four weeks after starting gabapentin therapy to observe any changes in their cognitive performance. The preliminary findings suggest that gabapentin may be associated with a decline in cognitive function shortly after starting the medication, although further research is needed due to limitations such as small sample size and lack of a control group.

• 1
  The average score for six out of the nine neuropsychological items administered at 1 week post initiation of gabapentin displayed a decrease in cognitive function when compared to baseline.
• 2
  The average score for five out of nine neuropsychological items improved from 1 week post initiation of treatment to 4 weeks post initiation of treatment.
• 3
  Three out of the five test results displayed a decrease in cognitive function when assessed 1 week post treatment with gabapentin relating to attention.