Metformin treatment ameliorates diabetes-associated decline in hippocampal neurogenesis and memory via phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1.

Age-related reduction in adult hippocampal neurogenesis is correlated with cognitive impairment. Diabetes is a chronic systemic disease that negatively affects adult neural stem cells and memory functions in the hippocampus. Despite growing concern regarding the potential role of diabetic drugs in neural abnormalities, their effects on progressive deterioration of neurogenesis and cognitive functions remain unknown.