Study: The diabetes drug metformin may protect the aged brain

A common type 2 diabetes drug called metformin can have unexpected positive side effects. According to a new study, people taking this drug appear to have significantly slower thought and memory loss as they get older.

“A 6-year study of elderly Australians with type 2 diabetes found a link between metformin use and cognitive decline. [mental] Research author Dr. Catherine Samaras said he is a leader in healthy aging research themes at the Girvan Medical Institute in New South Wales, Australia.

“The findings provide new hope for ways to reduce the risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, without diabetes,” Samaras said.

Metformin helps the body use insulin more effectively. It is known as an insulin sensitizer. Insulin guides sugar to the cells of the body so that it can be used as fuel. People with type 2 diabetes are not using insulin effectively. This is called insulin resistance.

“Metformin is an insulin sensitizer, but it has many other effects that help you maintain your metabolic health in your cells,” Samaras explained.

Experts believe that type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance are involved in degeneration of the brain and nervous tissue, which can lead to harmful changes in blood vessels, Samaras said. Metformin helps control some of this damage by increasing the action of insulin in the body.

The study followed more than 1,000 people between the ages of 70 and 90 for 6 years. At the beginning of the study, all volunteers lived at home and had no signs of dementia. They underwent a series of neuropsychological tests every two years.

Of the participants, 123 were diabetic and 67 were taking metformin.

Researchers found that diabetics who did not take metformin were five times more likely to develop dementia during the study.

Researchers said this was not the first study to show that metformin may be associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Similar associations have been found in other studies. The authors sought to see if the drug made a difference in memory and thought loss in the elderly group.

Samaras and her colleagues are currently planning a three-year randomized controlled trial of metformin in people who do not have diabetes but are at high risk of developing dementia.

“Our study provided promising early evidence that metformin may protect against cognitive decline. [The new] The trial will reveal whether metformin can help prevent cognitive decline in older people more broadly. “

Metformin is a cheap drug with few side effects, Samaras said. Side effects, such as digestive problems, usually occur during the first few weeks of taking the drug and then subside.

The findings were published online on September 23 for diabetes treatment.

Heather Snyder, Vice President of Medical Sciences at the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, said this was not the first study to show the possible benefits of metformin to the brain, but “especially this question. Similar results in different populations. It’s always encouraging to check. “

Snyder said it is difficult to know exactly how metformin helps with memory blunting and thinking problems. However, there are many trials trying to see if metformin is an effective treatment to delay the onset of dementia. There is a large national study in the United States, and researchers in the United Kingdom will investigate how metformin and healthy lifestyle changes can affect the risk of dementia.

In the meantime, talk to your doctor about what you can do, such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and getting involved in society, if you take steps that may reduce your risk of dementia. Snyder recommended that. Safely possible during a coronavirus pandemic.

For more information

Find out more about possible ways to prevent dementia from Alzheimer’s Association..

Copyright 2020 Health Day. all rights reserved.