Diabetes Medication May Reduce Dementia Risk and Lower Mortality

Recent research published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism suggests that metformin, a common medication used to manage diabetes, could have protective effects against dementia and decrease the risk of early death. The study, conducted by investigators at Taipei Medical University, analyzed data from a large cohort of 452,777 adults with varying degrees of overweight and obesity over a period of ten years.

Within this population, there were 35,784 recorded cases of dementia and 76,048 deaths. Findings revealed that individuals who used metformin experienced significantly lower risks of developing dementia and dying from any cause compared to those who did not take the medication. The noted benefits were consistent across different categories of overweight and obesity severity, with metformin users showing an 8–12% reduction in dementia risk and a 26–28% reduction in all-cause mortality.

Lead researcher Dr. Chiehfeng Chen emphasized that while these results are promising, further studies are necessary to uncover the underlying mechanisms responsible for these protective effects. The study highlights the potential of metformin beyond its traditional use for managing blood sugar levels, suggesting it could play a role in strategies aimed at reducing dementia and mortality risks among overweight and obese populations.

This research adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the repurposing of existing medications for broader health benefits. More details of the study can be found in the publication "Protective Effect of Metformin Against Dementia in Patients With Obesity" in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-diabetes-drug-dementia.html