Combining Lifestyle With Metformin to Reduce Dementia Risk: Updates From MET-FINGER Trial

TL;DR

This study explores combining lifestyle changes and metformin to reduce dementia risk in older adults at high risk, particularly those with the APOEε4 gene.

Contribution

The MET-FINGER trial is the first to combine lifestyle interventions with metformin for dementia prevention in an APOEε4-enriched population.

Findings

The trial is testing whether lifestyle changes plus metformin can reduce dementia risk in older adults.

APOEε4-carriers were less likely to meet eligibility criteria for metformin treatment.

Lessons learned include challenges in balancing APOEε4 enrichment with metformin eligibility.

Abstract

MET-FINGER is the first randomized controlled trial combining healthy lifestyle changes with a putative disease-modifying drug (metformin) for the prevention of cognitive impairment, in an APOEε4-enriched at-risk population of older adults. The potential benefits of metformin repurposing are based on the link between Type-II Diabetes (T2D) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and emerging evidence of independent neuro-protective effects. Findings will provide crucial information for innovative precision-prevention strategies aimed at cognitive impairment and dementia risk-reduction. 600 participants are randomly allocated to the FINGER 2.0 intervention (lifestyle for all + metformin, where appropriate; active arm), or regular health advice (control arm). Participants in the FINGER 2.0 group and at increased risk of T2D, are further randomised to 2000mg/day metformin, 1000mg/day metformin, or placebo (double-blind). The multimodal lifestyle intervention is an optimised version of the FINGER model. Metformin is administered as Glucophage®XR/SR 500, (Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; 500mg oral tablets). Primary outcome is change in global cognition (combined z-score of a neuropsychological test battery). Secondary outcomes are changes in individual cognitive domains; functional ability; and risk factors for AD/dementia. The feasibility, potential lifestyle-metformin interaction, and disease-modifying effects of the lifestyle-metformin combination are exploratory outcomes. 489 eligible participants have been identified; 365 have been randomised. The main challenges experienced are linked to balancing APOEε4-carriers enrichment and the eligibility rate for metformin treatment (e.g., APOEε4-carriers were less likely to fulfil some eligibility criteria for metformin). Lessons learned, pertaining to trial design, set-up, recruitment, and delivery, for future combination-therapy studies, will be presented.