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US Pharm. 2012;37(5):1.
Taipei, Taiwan, and Melbourne, Australia—A 12-year study of a
large Taiwanese population cohort has discovered that the risk of
Parkinson’s disease, which is increased by diabetes and elevated further
by the sulfonylureas used to treat diabetes, is reduced when metformin
is included in the therapy. “Metformin seems to be working to protect
the brain against neurodegeneration which contributes to Parkinsonism,”
stated lead study author Professor Mark Wahlqvist. “This means it may
also be considered a relevant therapy for the prevention of dementia as
well.” While the mechanism of action remains to be elucidated, it is
likely that metformin causes the regulation of energy metabolism in
cells, including the brain, to be reset.
To comment on this article, contact rdavidson@uspharmacist.com.
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