In a very interesting study performed in Germany, on the relationship between aging, cognition and dementia in primary care in old age after 75 years (AgeCoDe), it was found an increased incidence of the risk of dementia in patients who used proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for the treatment of gastric disorders, with a higher incidence among people aged between 75 and 79 years.
Researchers have yet to clear the accident causes and triggers of how the use of PPI may increase the risk of dementia. Evidence suggests that some PPI can cross the blood-brain barrier and interact with the enzymes of the brain and, in mice, can increase the levels of beta amyloid in the brain.
Although this study did not include the levels of vitamin B12, other studies have linked the use of PPIs in vitamin B12 deficiency, which has been shown to be associated with cognitive decline.
The new findings coincide with those of the previous study of the research group: the study, which included 3327 patients residing in the community aged between 75 years old and older, he found a very high link between PPI use and dementia.
There are several alternatives to PPI for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in the elderly: these include the histamine H2 receptor antagonists, prostaglandins, and antacids.
It is also pointed out the possibility that the PPI can increase both the production and the degradation of amyloid, at least in animals, and both the reduction of vitamin B12 and other nutrients between the users of the PPI, which could be linked with the risk of dementia.
The elderly, said researchers , often take many medications, which may reflect the extent of disease and comorbidities. specific drugs can be associated both with the use of PPI and dementia.
