In addition to the role of classic hypoglycemic drugs, how many potential health benefits does metformin have? Recently, Diabetes Care, a journal of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), published a study from Australia, found that patients with type 2 diabetes who took metformin had slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of dementia.
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Diabetes Drug Metformin May Prevent
Dementia
Metformin is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. It is used
together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2
diabetes.
In addition to the role of classic hypoglycemic drugs, how many potential health benefits
does metformin have? Recently, Diabetes Care, a journal of the American Diabetes
Association (ADA), published a study from Australia, found that patients with type 2
diabetes who took metformin had slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of dementia.
The data for this analysis is derived from a prospective observational study, the Sydney
Memory and Aging Study. The original study was carried out in 1037 elderly people aged
70-90 without dementia. Among them, 123 people had type 2 diabetes, and 67 of them
treated with metformin. In terms of demographic characteristics, it is similar to those with
type 2 diabetes and other non-type 2 diabetes who have not taken metformin.
The participants were followed for six years and were assessed every two years for their
cognitive functions, including executive function, memory, attention, language and visual
functions. Brain imaging examination was also performed at the beginning of the study
and the second year. In addition, a multidisciplinary team of experts was employed to
diagnose new-onset dementia.
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We know that people with type 2 diabetes tend to have a higher risk of dementia. 6 years
later, statistics data showed that people with type 2 diabetes who
had not taken metformin had significantly faster cognitive decline, and the risk of
new-onset dementia was 5 times more than that of those who took metformin. At the
same time, it was worth noting that compared with non-diabetic people, there was no
significant difference in the rate of cognitive decline in patients with type 2 diabetes taking
metformin within 6 years.
The senior author of the study, Professor Katherine Samaras, an endocrinologist at St
Vincent's Hospital Sydney, said, “Metformin is safe and widely used. These data indicate
its new potential. For patients with type 2 diabetes, metformin may bring cognitive health
benefits beyond blood sugar. More generally, for people at high risk of dementia and their
families, this may change their lives."
The main pharmacological effect of metformin is to lower blood sugar by reducing liver
glucose output and improving peripheral insulin resistance. Professor Katherine Samaras
speculated that, “Type 2 diabetes affects the degenerative pathways of the brain and
nerves and increases the risk of dementia. Insulin resistance may also play a role. At the
same time, this process may also occur in other people at risk of dementia.”
"While an observational study does not provide conclusive 'proof' that metformin is
protective against dementia, it does encourage us to study this and other anti-diabetic
treatments for dementia prevention. Metformin has even been suggested to be anti-aging.
The intriguing question is whether metformin is helpful in people in those with normal
glucose metabolism. More work is clearly needed." Professor Perminder Sachdev added.
Based on the preliminary findings of this study, the research team is currently planning to
conduct a large randomized controlled trial of metformin in people at high risk of dementia,
and evaluate the changes in cognitive function within three years. We look forward to
more evidence and potential of this classic old drug.
Metformin has been used safely to treat type 2 diabetes for 60 years. It works by reducing
the amount of glucose released from the liver into the blood stream and allows the body's
cells to better respond to blood glucose levels. Huateng Pharma, a leading
pharmaceutical intermediate supplier has established an industry park of 34000m². We
are focusing on R&D of pharmaceutical intermediates and providing Anti-Diabetic
intermediates such as semaglutide intermediates and liraglutide intermediates with
capacities varying from gram to kilograms and multi tons.
Related article:
[1] New Discoveries Of Metformin
[2] Glucagon Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) Agonist Drugs for Type 2 Diabetes
3. Huateng Pharma https://en.huatengsci.com
[3] Antidiabetic Drugs Classification and Mechanism of Action
[4] A Novel Approach Against Type 1 Diabetes
Reference:
[1] Katherine Samaras, et al., (2020). Metformin Use Is Associated With Slowed Cognitive Decline and
Reduced Incident Dementia in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: The Sydney Memory and Ageing
Study. Diabetes Care, DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc20-0892
[2] Metformin treatment linked to slowed cognitive decline. Retrieved September 3, 2020,
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-metformin-treatment-linked-cognitive-decline.html
![Huateng Pharma https://en.huatengsci.com
We know that people with type 2 diabetes tend to have a higher risk of dementia. 6 years
later, statistics data showed that people with type 2 diabetes who
had not taken metformin had significantly faster cognitive decline, and the risk of
new-onset dementia was 5 times more than that of those who took metformin. At the
same time, it was worth noting that compared with non-diabetic people, there was no
significant difference in the rate of cognitive decline in patients with type 2 diabetes taking
metformin within 6 years.
The senior author of the study, Professor Katherine Samaras, an endocrinologist at St
Vincent's Hospital Sydney, said, “Metformin is safe and widely used. These data indicate
its new potential. For patients with type 2 diabetes, metformin may bring cognitive health
benefits beyond blood sugar. More generally, for people at high risk of dementia and their
families, this may change their lives."
The main pharmacological effect of metformin is to lower blood sugar by reducing liver
glucose output and improving peripheral insulin resistance. Professor Katherine Samaras
speculated that, “Type 2 diabetes affects the degenerative pathways of the brain and
nerves and increases the risk of dementia. Insulin resistance may also play a role. At the
same time, this process may also occur in other people at risk of dementia.”
"While an observational study does not provide conclusive 'proof' that metformin is
protective against dementia, it does encourage us to study this and other anti-diabetic
treatments for dementia prevention. Metformin has even been suggested to be anti-aging.
The intriguing question is whether metformin is helpful in people in those with normal
glucose metabolism. More work is clearly needed." Professor Perminder Sachdev added.
Based on the preliminary findings of this study, the research team is currently planning to
conduct a large randomized controlled trial of metformin in people at high risk of dementia,
and evaluate the changes in cognitive function within three years. We look forward to
more evidence and potential of this classic old drug.
Metformin has been used safely to treat type 2 diabetes for 60 years. It works by reducing
the amount of glucose released from the liver into the blood stream and allows the body's
cells to better respond to blood glucose levels. Huateng Pharma, a leading
pharmaceutical intermediate supplier has established an industry park of 34000m². We
are focusing on R&D of pharmaceutical intermediates and providing Anti-Diabetic
intermediates such as semaglutide intermediates and liraglutide intermediates with
capacities varying from gram to kilograms and multi tons.
Related article:
[1] New Discoveries Of Metformin
[2] Glucagon Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) Agonist Drugs for Type 2 Diabetes](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)