Metformin May Shield Against Dementia in Overweight/Obesity

Original Article: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/metformin-may-shield-against-dementia-overweight-obesity-2025a1000kyv?form=fpf

Metformin and Dementia Risk

Metformin, a common drug used for type 2 diabetes that has been available for many years, may also protect against dementia in people who are overweight or obese. A new study followed hundreds of thousands of adults for 10 years and compared those who took metformin with people who did not. Researchers found that people who used metformin had a lower chance of developing dementia and were less likely to die from any cause during the study period.

Key Findings

The benefit was seen across different weight groups, from those with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to those with a BMI over 40. On average, metformin users had about an 8–12% lower risk of dementia and around a 25% lower risk of premature death. The strongest effects appeared in adults under the age of 65 and with BMIs between 30 and 40. This suggests that metformin may have protective effects beyond blood sugar control, especially in younger adults with obesity.

Limitations and Next Steps

However, the researchers also noted limits to their findings. Dementia was diagnosed based on medical codes, which are not always perfectly accurate, and the study could not track all other medicines patients may have taken. Because the research only shows an association, not direct cause and effect, more studies are needed. Still, the results raise the possibility that metformin could one day be used more widely to reduce dementia risk in people who are overweight or obese.