Section - Quick Takes

03. Metformin and Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease Among Community-Dwelling People With Diabetes: A National Case-Control Study

Published on January 1, 2021 Expired on April 1, 2024 DOI: 10.64239/PI-QT2203

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

Contrary to 2 previous studies, this carefully designed case-control study, which used the entire population of Finland, metformin was not associated with an increased risk of developing an Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, long-term use of higher doses of metformin was associated with a decreased odds of Alzheimer's disease.

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Diabetes is a strong risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, so one might think that metformin might decrease Alzheimer’s disease in type 2 diabetes. However, metformin does not just inhibit hepatic glucose production and decrease insulin resistance, but it also crosses the blood–brain barrier and alters gut microbiota. Could these additional effects of metformin have deleterious effects on the brain? It turns out that this is an open question because of 3 longitudinal studies; 2 have linked metformin with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Hi! Jim Phelps here for the Psychopharmacology Institute. This Quick Take examines an article by Dr. ****Janet Sluggett and Marjaana Koponen, lead authors for an international team consisting of Australia, Finland, and Sweden. In this study, 71,000 Finnish persons with diabetes mellitus who were newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) between 2005 and 2011 were matched with almost 300,000 controls. Presence and duration of metformin intake

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04. Effect of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics vs Usual Care on Time to First Hospitalization in Early-Phase Schizophrenia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Assess the efficacy of pharmacologic treatments of borderline personality disorder: Antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and lithium.
Compare the evidence of benefit from several pharmacologic approaches to insomnia in PTSD, including a recent randomized trial of eszopiclone, the nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic.
Consider the link between metformin use and Alzheimer’s disease: Is it positive, negative, or no relationship?
Compare features of 2 randomized trials of first-episode psychosis: That of an intensive psychosocial intervention, with and without an antipsychotic, and that of a program to train clinics to use a long-acting injectable antipsychotic more frequently.
Reexamine the research basis for the current guidelines for the treatment of insomnia: Behavioral therapy first, before medications.

Original Release Date: 01/01/2021

Review Date: 03/01/2024

Expiration Date: 04/01/2024

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

The following planners, faculty, and reviewers have the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Dr. Phelps has disclosed the following relationships:

McGraw-Hill: book on bipolar disorder
W.W. Norton & Co.: books on bipolar disorder

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit:

Participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

View the required educational content provided on this course page.
Complete the Post Activity Evaluation for providing the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
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