Tricyclic antidepressants and cognitive decline.

In this study, we sought to determine the cross-sectional and longitudinal relations of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) use to cognitive function and cognitive change in a population-based sample of adults (n=1,488). Sociodemographic information, TCA use, and baseline scores on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) were determined in the initial two waves of the study. At wave 3, participants repeated the MMSE; the prospective relation was assessed for change between waves 2 and 3 (median 11.5 years). These findings failed to support the concept that TCA use is related to concurrent measurable cognitive deficits, and TCA use does not appear to significantly compromise memory over a substantial time span.