Proton Pump Inhibitors Do Not Increase Alzheimer Risk

There is no association between use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD), according to the results of a recent study.

Previous research has suggested a potential link between PPI use and increased risk of dementia.
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The researchers conducted a Finnish nationwide nested case-control study that included all community-dwelling individuals with newly diagnosed AD from 2005 to 2011 (N=70,718), as well as up to 4 age-, sex-, and region of residence-matched comparison participants.

Overall, the researchers found that PPI use was not associated with the risk of AD, even in participants using PPIs for more than 3 years, or at higher doses.

“In conclusion, we found no clinically meaningful association between PPI use and risk of AD. The results for longer duration of cumulative use or use with higher doses did not indicate dose–response relationship.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Taipale H, Tolppanen A, Tiihonen M, et al. No association between proton pump inhibitor use and risk of alzheimer’s disease [published online July 11, 2017]. AJG. doi:10.1038/ajg.2017.196