Diabetes drug metformin may halve the risk of dementia
Taking metformin, a type 2 diabetes drug, has been linked to a lower risk of dementia over the following decades, but the association isn't conclusive
A diabetes medication called metformin may lower the risk of developing dementia, according to a 20-year-long study. The drug, which is commonly prescribed to manage type 2 diabetes, reduced the likelihood of dementia by nearly half, with just 1.9% of participants taking metformin developing the condition compared to 4.2% of those given lifestyle interventions or a placebo.
Metformin, studied extensively, is the most commonly used medication for type 2 diabetes, with 150 million individuals taking it daily in 2022. Although the mechanism behind the potential dementia reduction remains unclear, the study adds valuable evidence to the growing body of research supporting the drug's protective effect.
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