Metformin linked to worse cognition in older people
The researchers suggest vitamin B supplementation via fortified foods, but more research is needed
Metformin is associated with worse cognitive function in older adults, which could be explained by vitamin B deficiency, new research suggests.
Northern Irish researchers investigated the relationship between hyperglycemia, metformin and vitamin B status in 4160 community-dwelling, dementia-free older people (mean age 74) participating in the Trinity, Ulster and Department of Agriculture (TUDA) study.
Participants included 1856 normo-glycaemic individuals, 318 who were on metformin but hyperglycaemic and 1986 who were hyperglycaemic and not taking metformin.
The study found metformin users had 45% higher odds of having B12 deficiency and 48% higher odds of being vitamin B6 deficient, both statistically significant results.
