Antacid medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often used to reduce stomach acid and treat heartburn or reflux.
They are widely available and commonly taken by older adults.
But a recent study from Denmark has raised concerns about a possible link between long-term PPI use and a higher risk of dementia.
Researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital and Aarhus University studied health records from almost 2 million people in Denmark between the ages of 60 and 75. They followed the group from 2000 to 2018, including only people who had never been diagnosed with dementia or used dementia-specific medications before.
Over the study period, about 99,000 people developed dementia. The researchers compared these cases with over 469,000 people in a control group who did not develop dementia. They found that those who used PPIs were more likely to develop dementia, especially if they had taken the drugs for a long time.
The increase in risk depended on the person’s age and how long they had used PPIs. Among people aged 60 to 69, the risk was the highest. In that group, those who had ever used PPIs had a 36% higher risk of dementia compared to those who had never used them. The risk was lower in older age groups and not significant for those over 89.
The study suggests that longer use of PPIs is linked to a higher chance of developing dementia before age 90. However, the researchers are careful to point out that this does not prove PPIs cause dementia.
There may be other reasons for the connection:
It could be that early dementia symptoms, like digestive issues, lead people to take PPIs before the disease is diagnosed (a situation called reverse causality). PPIs might cause changes in the body that contribute to brain decline.
There could also be an effect on the ‘gut-brain axis,’ the connection between our digestive system and brain. The nervous system in the gut may influence brain health, and imbalances in gut bacteria have been linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s.
The study shows the need for more research. Scientists want to understand exactly how PPIs might affect brain health and whether the link is stronger with certain types of dementia.
If you’re taking PPIs regularly, don’t stop without talking to your doctor. These medications can be important for treating conditions like acid reflux or ulcers. But it’s also wise to use them only as long as needed and to discuss any concerns with a healthcare provider.
Other research shows that lifestyle choices can affect brain health. For example, bad habits may increase Alzheimer’s risk, while eating strawberries may help protect the brain. Studies have also looked into how cannabis extracts and vitamin E might benefit people with memory-related conditions.
This study was published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about Early heart rhythm problem linked to higher dementia risk and findings of Green leafy vegetables may help reduce Alzheimer’s risk.
For more about dementia, please read studies about Research shows an important cause of frontotemporal dementia and findings of New way to detect Lewy body disease early, a leading cause of dementia.
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