Metformin Slows Aging and Boosts Cognitive Health in Elderly Monkeys, Study Finds

A recent study has added compelling evidence that metformin, a drug primarily used to treat Type 2 diabetes, may also have the ability to slow aging. The study, published in Cell, tested metformin’s effects on male monkeys and showed significant benefits in brain health, inflammation reduction, and organ rejuvenation, making metformin a promising candidate for future anti-aging therapies.

Study Overview

Metformin has been a topic of interest in aging research due to its ability to modulate key biological pathways related to aging. The recent study administered daily doses of the drug to monkeys aged between 52 and 64 in human years for three years. Researchers focused on health span, or the number of healthy years the monkeys experienced, rather than on longevity.

Key Findings

The study found that metformin had significant anti-aging effects, especially on the brain. The treated monkeys displayed preserved learning and memory abilities, and their brain age was reduced by almost six years, or approximately 18 human years. Additionally, metformin reduced chronic inflammation and slowed aging in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and muscles.

Brain and Cognitive Benefits

One of the most striking results was metformin's impact on cognitive health. The monkeys given metformin performed significantly better on memory and learning tests than their untreated peers, acting as though they were six years younger. The drug also reversed brain shrinkage, especially in areas crucial for reasoning and memory, such as the hippocampus.

Beyond the Brain: Organ Rejuvenation

Metformin’s effects extended to multiple organs. The drug reduced scarring and inflammation in the lungs, kidneys, and heart—key indicators of aging. Senescent cells, often referred to as "zombie cells," which accumulate with age and damage surrounding tissue, were also reduced.

Implications for Human Aging

The study didn’t focus on lifespan but rather on health span, emphasizing the importance of delaying age-related diseases. Although more research is needed, including trials in female primates and humans, the findings are promising for future anti-aging therapies.

Limitations and Next Steps

While the results are exciting, the sample size of the study was small, with only 12 monkeys receiving the drug. Additionally, the study only included male monkeys, leaving a gap in understanding how the drug might work in females, who often have different aging trajectories.

Metformin’s History and Future Potential

Metformin has been widely used as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes for decades. Originally derived from a plant known as goat’s rue, it was approved by the FDA for diabetes management. Recent research has uncovered its multi-pathway effects on aging, making it a candidate for slowing the aging process.

In 2015, the FDA approved the TAME (Targeting the Biology of Aging) trial, which aims to test metformin’s effects on aging in 3,000 elderly people over six years. A smaller, placebo-controlled clinical trial is also underway to investigate the drug’s impact on age-related health in middle-aged to elderly males.

Conclusion: Metformin’s Promise in Anti-Aging Research

The recent study provides strong evidence that metformin can slow aging and improve health span in primates, particularly in the brain and multiple organs. While more research is needed, metformin’s established safety profile in humans makes it a leading candidate in the pursuit of pharmaceutical strategies against human aging.

More Information:

• Title: Metformin Slows Aging in Monkeys: Cognitive and Physical Benefits
• Journal: Cell
• Study: https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(24)00914-0