Potential mechanisms of metformin-induced memory impairment

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition to its ability to lower glucose levels, it has recently been reported to be potentially useful for the treatment of other conditions because of its anticancer activity, cardiovascular protective effect, neuroprotective effect, and efficacy in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. However, long-term use of metformin may lead to side-effects such as memory impairment. Here, we critically review the effect of metformin on memory impairment and the potential molecular mechanisms of memory dysfunction to provide a reference for researchers and a better understanding of the side-effects of metformin.