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Updated: May 2, 2026

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Metformin's Effects on Cognitive Function from a Biovariance Perspective: A Narrative Review
Dimitrie Chele1, Carmen-Adella Sirbu2,3, Marian Mitrica2
1Department of Neurology, Elias Emergency University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania.
Abstract:
This study examines the effects of metformin on brain functions focusing on the variability of the results reported in the literature. While some studies suggest that metformin may have neuroprotective effects in diabetic patients, others report an insignificant impact of metformin on cognitive function, or even a negative effect. We propose that this inconsistency may be due to intrinsic cellular-level variability among individuals, which we term "biovariance". Biovariance persists even in demographically homogeneous samples due to complex and stochastic biological processes. Additionally, the complex metabolic actions of metformin, including its influence on neuroenergetics and neuronal survival, may produce different effects depending on individual metabolic characteristics.
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