Ask Dr. Nick
On today’s episode, Dr. Nick talks about the possibility of proton pump inhibitors contributing to dementia. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medications used for acid reflux because they prevent acid from being produced in the stomach. This not only can cause low stomach acid leading to nutrient deficiencies, but also they have been associated with dementia. The article discussed shows how PPIs inhibit the production of a key neurotransmitter in the brain and gut, acetylcholine. In the brain, this neurotransmitter is essential to learning and memory. Check out the video for more in depth information on how overuse of PPIs can lead to dementia!
Kumar R, Kumar A, Nordberg A, Långström B, Darreh-Shori T. Proton pump inhibitors act with unprecedented potencies as inhibitors of the acetylcholine biosynthesizing enzyme-A plausible missing link for their association with incidence of dementia. Alzheimers Dement. 2020 Jul;16(7):1031-1042.
