Long-term use of medications to treat anxiety and sleep problems may be associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

A team of researchers in France and Canada investigated the possible relationship between benzodiazepine use over a number of years and Alzheimer’s, in addition to a potential relationship between dosage and the disease.

Benzodiazepines are a type of psychoactive drug used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and a number of other conditions. They are among the most widely prescribed medications in the U.S., especially among elderly patients. These drugs have sedative, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, anti-anxiety, and muscle-relaxing properties.

Data was used from the Quebec health insurance program database (RAMQ), which helped the researchers track the onset of Alzheimer’s among a sample of elderly people residing in Quebec who had been on benzodiazepines.

The researchers identified 1,796 cases of Alzheimer’s among the sample over a six-year period. Each case was compared to 7,184 people without Alzheimer’s who had not been prescribed benzodiazepines.

The results of the study showed that those who were on benzodiazepines for three months or longer had a higher chance (up to 51 percent) of developing Alzheimer’s, compared to those who were not on these medications, or who were not on them for a prolonged period of time.

The researchers conclude that although these medications are helpful, they should not be prescribed for a duration lasting longer than three months.