The BBC reported recently that a commonly used drug for type 2 diabetes could now be used for stopping any further decay in the brain cells and stop Alzheimer’s. It also said that researchers have found out that metformin helps in preventing the formation of ‘tau tangles’ which is the main brain abnormality related to the illness.

Researchers found during the study whether metformin had an effect on the tau proteins which play a key role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). They achieved this by observing the effect of metformin on the levels of biological markers in both cells and even mice.

In these studies the researchers discovered that metformin made an enzyme active which can counteract the development of the protein tangles. Some similar findings were also observed in live mice that were given metformin.

These findings are very promising for AD patients but this research is still very early and there are many questions still which need to be answered. We still don’t know for sure whether the drug has any positive effect in preventing the brain changes observed in Alzheimer’s disease.