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Diabetes Drug Delays Dementia

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/

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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