In a large six-year study, Professor Samaras and team previously found that people with type 2 diabetes taking metformin showed much slower cognitive decline and had reduced rates of dementia development, compared to those not taking the drug.
Numerous observational studies have found metformin use to be associated with a reduced risk of dementia among individuals with diabetes, while others have found an increased risk. However, time-related biases may exist in observational studies and result in spurious associations.
It was previously shown that metformin promoted neurogenesis and enhanced spatial memory in C57/129J mice (5), reduced oxidative stress in the brain of Goto-Kakizaki rats, a model of non-obese T2D (6) and avoided the reduction of cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the subgranular zone of the ...
In a recent study, people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who took the drug pioglitazone (Actos) to regulate their blood sugar were less likely to later develop dementia than those who did not take the drug.
Besides its hypoglycemic effects, metformin also can improve cognitive or mood functions in some T2DM patients; moreover, it has been reported that metformin exerts beneficial effects on many neurological disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Fragile X syndrome (FXS); ...
For decades we've known that metformin does more than just help lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. It also offers them cardiovascular benefits, including lower rates of death due to cardiovascular disease. And it sometimes helps people with diabetes lose excess weight.
For People With Diabetes, Metformin Lowers the Risk of Death
Research in humans suggests that metformin can impact mortality. A meta-analysis published in 2017 that included 53 different studies concluded that metformin reduces all-cause mortality and diseases of aging, independent of its effect on diabetes.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
Donepezil (also known as Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Reminyl) are used to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil is also used to treat more severe Alzheimer's disease.
Cholinesterase inhibitors.
These medications — including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Razadyne) — work by boosting levels of a chemical messenger involved in memory and judgment.
Donepezil and rivastigmine
Donepezil tablets are by far the most common medication used to treat dementia. Rivastigmine tends only to be used when donepezil causes side effects, or if the person can't take it for medical reasons.
Long-term side effects
Taking metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency if you take it for a long time. This can make you feel very tired, breathless and faint, so your doctor may check the vitamin B12 level in your blood. If your vitamin B12 levels become too low, vitamin B12 supplements will help.
Metformin Effective In Treating Depression
Metformin helps in reducing depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin, the happiness hormone.
Metformin therapy decreased the occurrence risk of cognitive decline in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Several research studies following large groups over many years suggest that adults with Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. diabetes. According to one study's results, Type 1 diabetics were 93% more likely to develop dementia.
Studies show that dementia risk is lowest in people who have several healthy behaviours in mid-life (aged 40–65). These behaviours include: ∎regular mental, physical and social activity ∎not smoking ∎drinking alcohol only in moderation ∎keeping a healthy diet.
Administration: The examiner reads a list of 5 words at a rate of one per second, giving the following instructions: “This is a memory test. I am going to read a list of words that you will have to remember now and later on. Listen carefully. When I am through, tell me as many words as you can remember.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.
Alzheimer's disease, the most common dementia diagnosis among older adults. It is caused by changes in the brain, including abnormal buildups of proteins known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles.
Stay mentally and socially active. Engaging in mental or social activities may help to build up your brain's ability to cope with disease, relieve stress and improve your mood. This means doing these activities may help to delay, or even prevent, dementia from developing.
other long-term health problems – dementia tends to progress more quickly if the person is living with other conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, particularly if these are not well-managed.
Outside of their work, other scientists are hailing metformin as a wonder drug not only because of its effect on Type 2 diabetes, but because of its emerging prominence in cancer research and potential influence in the lungs of those diagnosed with tuberculosis.
As much as possible, avoid white bread, white rice, white pasta, candy, soda, desserts, and snacks like chips or crackers. Eating foods that can spike your blood sugar will not necessarily make the metformin not work, however, it will increase the burden it has to work against.
A typical metformin dose for a person with type 2 diabetes ranges from 500 mg to a maximum dose of 2550 mg a day to be taken with food to help avoid stomach upset (UpToDate, n.d.).
However, a prescription from a physician is required to obtain metformin. And while the anti-aging effects of metformin are promising, it is still unclear whether people without type 2 diabetes will benefit from this medication and whether the potential benefits outweigh the possible side effects.