Long-Term Metformin Could Protect Against Neurodegenerative Disease

Long-term metformin use may help to protect against neurodegenerative diseases (ND), including Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, according to new research.

To evaluate the effect of length of metformin exposure on the risk of developing ND, the researchers conducted a study of 6026 patients from the Veterans Affairs database, aged 63.2±10.9 years, with a median of 5.2 years of follow-up. Participants were free from ND at baseline.
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Overall, the incidence rate of ND was 1.15 per 100 person-years among individuals taking metformin, compared with 2.79 per 100 person-years among patients free from metformin. Specifically, adjusted incidence rates of ND were 2.47 for those using metformin for less than 1 year, 1.61 for less than 2 years, 1.30 for 2 to 4 years, and 0.49 for 4 or more years.

“We conclude that the long-term metformin therapy has protective effect on the incidence of ND among elderly veterans with diabetes, however, less than 2-year metformin exposure did not show significant influence.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Shi Q, Liu S, Fonseca V, Shi L. The Effect of metformin exposure on neurodegenerative disease among elder adult veterans with diabetes mellitus [presented at the American Diabetes Association 76^th Scientific Sessions]. June 11, 2016; New Orleans, Louisiana.