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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the makers of some sleep aids to reduce recommended doses for the drugs. The decision came after the FDA reviewed recent driving simulation studies. They showed that the drugs remained in some people’s bodies enough to affect driving 8 hours later. The new rule applies to sleep aids that contain the drug zolpidem. The drugs include Ambien, Edluar, Zolpimist and others. Problems with driving were seen most often in women. They process the drug more slowly than men. Therefore, the recommended dose for women will be cut in half, from 10 milligrams to 5 milligrams for regular products. Extended-release doses will drop from 12.5 to 6.25 milligrams. The FDA recommends that these doses apply to men, too. However, the changes will not be required for men. The Associated Press wrote about the announcement January 10.

Treating high blood pressure may also decrease the risk of dementia, new research suggests. The study included 774 deceased men who had high blood pressure while alive. Autopsy results showed fewer signs of dementia in the brains of men who had been treated for the condition. They had less brain shrinkage and fewer areas of brain cell death caused by mini-strokes. They also had fewer amyloid plaques and tangles, signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Treating high blood pressure can decrease the risk of strokes. But it’s unclear why treatment would prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Another surprise was that the men treated with beta-blockers had the healthiest looking brains. Beta-blockers are less effective than some other blood pressure medicines. But for those who used them brain damage was about half as severe as that for men who used other treatments.