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Discoveries
Stomach drug might have brain impact
AGING
Dementia is on the rise in America: by 2050, nearly 20 million people in America are expected to show cognitive decline. While the increase is attributed to a variety of factors, a new study reveals that a relatively common drug used to treat stomach distress might be playing a role. According to research led by Dr. Malaz Boustani from Indiana University, a class of drugs called histamine-2 (H2) receptor blockers, which includes the popular drugs Zantac and Tagamet, may be associated with a decline of mental function, such as language, memory, and reasoning. In the study, researchers selected 1,600 African-Americans with no prior history of cognitive impairment and observed them for five years. Surprisingly, the researchers found that 34 percent of the study participants who used H2 receptor blockers regularly had cognitive impairment -- significantly more than those who never used the drug. Why a drug that treats stomach disorders might affect the brain is a question for future study -- but the authors suggest that it might be because the drug may affect receptors in the brain.
BOTTOM LINE: Common stomach drugs such as Zantac and Tagamet may affect brain function in older adults.
CAUTIONS: The population group that was studied were all African-Americans aged 65 and older -- whether the outcome of this study can be applied to other populations remains unknown.
WHAT'S NEXT: Researchers plan on repeating these studies on other groups to determine if H2 blockers have a universal effect on cognitive function in the elderly. They also hope to study the effect of other gastrointestinal medications in patients who might be at risk for developing cognitive decline.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, August
SUSHRUT JANGI 
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
