The diabetes drug metformin may help reduce the risk of developing dementia. Researchers tracked nearly 15,000 patients with type 2 diabetes who started treatment between 1999 and 2001. The subjects were given one of four possible drug types: metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones or insulin.
Normally, type 2 diabetes itself increases the risk for dementia. But five years after starting on metformin, patients had reduced their likelihood of developing cognitive decline by at least 20% compared to patients taking other diabetes drugs.
In contrast, the other medications, including insulin, were linked to an increased risk of dementia compared to metformin. This epidemiologic study may lead to clinical trials that should better assess the true benefit of metformin against dementia.
[Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), July 15, 2013]
You can learn more about controlling type 2 diabetes in our Guide to Managing Diabetes.
11/8/18 redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/can-you-delay-alzheimer-disease-with-drugs-for-diabetes/
