A painkiller used for lower back pain could be linked to a higher risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to new research.

The study, published online in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, found that groups previously considered too young to develop the conditions faced more than twice the risk when taking gabapentin.

"Our findings indicate an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years," the research team stated in a press release.

BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS MAY HAVE LOWER RISK OF DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, STUDY FINDS

The drug has become increasingly popular for treating chronic pain, especially neuropathic (nerve) pain, the researchers noted in a press release.

Gabapentin — which is also used to control seizures, according to Cleveland Clinic — has relatively low addictive potential compared to traditional opioids.

Recent research has sparked new concerns over its side effects, including a possible association with neurodegeneration.

Previous findings could not confirm a specific link, especially regarding whether certain age groups are more vulnerable.

In the latest study, researchers collected data from TriNetX, a health research network containing electronic health records from 68 healthcare organizations across the U.S.

MORE SENIORS ARE USING CANNABIS THAN EVER BEFORE DESPITE HEALTH RISKS, RESEARCH SHOWS

Examining anonymous records of adult patients, the team looked at groups who had been prescribed gabapentin for chronic lower back pain between 2004 and 2024 and compared them to people who hadn’t received the drug. There were a total of 26,414 individuals in each group.

The researchers accounted for factors like demographics, co-existing conditions and the use of other pain-relieving drugs.

Patients who had received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85% more likely to be diagnosed with MCI within 10 years of their initial pain diagnosis, the study found.

Looking at specific age groups, people between 18 and 64 years old who received the drug were more than twice as likely to develop either condition than those who hadn’t been prescribed gabapentin.

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While there was no heightened risk among those aged 18 to 34 who were prescribed the drug, the risk of dementia more than doubled (and the risk of MCI more than tripled) among 35- to 49-year-olds.

Researchers observed a similar pattern among 50- to 64-year-olds.

Risks rose with prescription frequency: Patients with 12 or more prescriptions were 40% more likely to develop dementia and 65% more likely to develop MCI than those who were prescribed gabapentin between three and 11 times. 

The study did have some limitations. As this was an observational study, no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, the researchers noted.

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They also acknowledged that because the study was retrospective, they couldn’t account for dose or length of gabapentin use.

The results "support the need for close monitoring of adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline," the researchers added.

A woman recently vented her frustrations over a food-related family conflict to millions of people on the internet, leading to a flurry of reactions.

On Reddit's 24 million-strong "Am I the a--hole" community, a woman shared an incident involving her sister in a post that received some 16,000 upvotes.

The woman said her sister moved in with her after experiencing a difficult break-up. She brought along her two children, ages 7 and 4. 

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"When my sister moved in, I realized quickly that she liked to sleep in," the Redditor said. 

"Some days she was up as late as 1 p.m. … I gave her the benefit of the doubt since I knew how hard her break-up was for her."

An issue arose, however, when the snoozing sister neglected to feed her own children – leaving the burden to the Reddit poster.

"I got into a routine with my niece and nephew that basically whatever I cooked myself for breakfast, I'd make enough for them as well — until the other morning," she said. 

WOMAN WHO FINDS MEAL PREP 'EXHAUSTING' SLAMMED FOR NOT COOKING 'FANCIER' FOODS

"I woke up and had an urge to make huevos rancheros. The kids immediately started complaining that they didn't want that and wanted something different."

She added, "I was nice and ended up making them pancakes since it's not their fault their mom is really struggling."

The next day, the children complained that they didn't want to eat breakfast potatoes and eggs and demanded a new dish, according to the woman's post.

They complained yet again the next day — finally pushing the woman to her limits.

WOMAN GOES VIRAL ON REDDIT FOR CALLING OUT HUSBAND'S LAST-MINUTE PARTY DEMANDS

"Finally, after three mornings of my unwanted food critics getting a separate meal, I finally told them, 'I'm no longer cooking two different meals for breakfast,'' the Reddit user wrote.

"'If you don't like what I'm making, go ask your mom to get up and do it,'" she said she told them.

Even after the children woke up their sleeping mom that morning, she didn't come downstairs until 1 p.m. – leading to even more complaints from the children.

The sister was angry, the poster said. "She started in about how they need to be fed by a certain time and a bunch of other things that she said to try and intentionally hurt me."

The Redditor admitted that she "snapped" and told her sister to "wake up and take care of your f---ing kids instead of expecting me to do it."

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The user concluded, "She got quiet after that and is still giving me the cold shoulder, but I know she's expecting me to apologize."

Most of the comments posted about the situation were supportive of the poster.

"Sleeping till 1 p.m. means she's missing their breakfast AND lunch," the top comment read. "[Kids at] ages 7 and 4 are still pretty dependent on an adult for balanced meals. Your sister is lame."

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Said another person, "I'm assuming she is not paying rent or helping you with any expenses - she is just lying around sleeping? You should have a serious sit-down with her and stop all of this crap right now."

Fox News Digital spoke with Texas-based etiquette expert Pat Durham for insights into the Reddit thread.

"The poster was very gracious in extending the degree of hospitality that was extended," Durham noted.

The civility consultant added that the situation "goes way beyond etiquette." She called it a boundary issue. 

"The mother needs medical intervention, at the very least," Durham advised. "Counseling is desperately needed."

"The responses are on the right track," she added. "There are numerous profound issues at play here."