Common heartburn drugs taken by millions ‘linked to brain eating disease’

PEOPLE taking heartburn or indigestion medications are at higher risk of dementia, according to a study.

Regularly popping a type of drug called a proton pump inhibitor, for 4.4 years or more, raised the chances of the memory-robbing disease by a third.

The NHS prescribes the drugs to millions of Brits every year, dishing out more than 70million packs in 2022.

Dr Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, of the University of Minnesota, said: “We found a higher risk of dementia associated with long-term use of these drugs.

“While there are various ways to treat acid reflux, different approaches may not work for everyone. 

“It is important that people taking these medications speak with their doctor before making any changes, because stopping these drugs abruptly may result in worse symptoms.”

Around 944,000 Brits are currently living with dementia and experts predict the numbers will exceed one million by the end of the decade.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of the condition, and is thought to be caused by build-ups of proteins in the brain, including tau and amyloid.

Previous research has linked long-term use of proton pump inhibitors to a higher risk of stroke, bone fractures and chronic kidney disease.

The latest study, published in the journal Neurology, looked at how the drugs affect the chances of dementia.

Researchers tracked 5,712 people aged 75 on average who did not have dementia at the start of the study.

They were asked if they took the drugs and for how long, and followed for an average of 5.5 years to see whether they developed the disease.

Around a quarter had taken the drugs and 10 per cent of all participants were diagnosed with dementia by the end.

Of the 497 people who took the drugs for more than 4.4 years, 58 people developed dementia.

Dr Lakshminarayan said: “More research is needed to confirm our findings and explore reasons for the possible link between proton pump inhibitors and a higher risk of dementia.”