Can metformin help to treat bipolar disorder?

A recent small study conducted by a Halifax researcher in people with both bipolar disorder and insulin resistance (which can lead to diabetes) seems to show that treating the insulin resistance leads to improved bipolar symptoms.

Researchers believe that insulin resistance may lead to a leaky blood brain barrier which allows inflammatory molecules to enter the brain and affect bipolar disorder. By treating the insulin resistance, this blood brain barrier would become less leaky.

This is the first study that shows this kind of result with metformin, a 50 year old diabetes medication that is safe and very cost effective in the treatment of insulin resistance. It is also used as a first line medication in people with diabetes.

It will be interesting to see if larger studies are able to replicate these findings. We’ve always known that it is important for all patients on bipolar medications to be treated with metformin simultaneously to prevent weight gain and insulin resistance.

This study shows that it may be a good idea to start any patient with bipolar disease and insulin resistance on metformin rather than waiting for diabetes to develop.

Learn more here: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-07-27/could-a-common-diabetes-drug-ease-bipolar-disorder