A study involving a total of 14,542 women has found an as-yet-unexplained link between taking antibiotics for at least two months in midlife, and a dip in cognitive score assessments taken several years later.

The study assessed 14,542 women and ~7 years later found a significant association with decreased cognitive test scores. Add this to the growing list of reasons antibiotics should only be implemented as a last resort. More research is required to determine the direct causation but its believed the known connection between the brain and gut microbiota is related to these findings.