with pharmacological treatment

The MET-FINGER trial is an international, randomized clinical trial, based on the ground-breaking  FINGER study. For the first time, a lifestyle-based intervention (the FINGER model) will be tested in association with pharmacological treatment, metformin, with the aim of preventing cognitive impairment and dementia.

Conducted across three sites in the UK, Finland, and Sweden, the trial will include a total of 600 participants aged 60-79 years with increased risk of developing dementia, but with no current memory problems or dementia diagnoses.

Metformin is an approved drug and the first line pharmacological treatment for type 2 diabetes. It may help prevent dementia and cognitive decline by controlling high blood glucose levels, a well-known risk factor for dementia. Due to its novel design and approach, the trial’s findings will be key for the development, world-wide, of a new generation of clinical trials combining lifestyle interventions and medications.

Project status

Recruitment started in early 2023. To date (Jan. 2024), over 250 screening visits have been completed across the three sites.

In the second half of 2023, the study was fully open to all trial activities, including the lifestyle intervention and screening for metformin treatment eligibility.

As of today, over 70 baseline visits have been completed and about 40 participants have been randomized for lifestyle.

Swedish MET-FINGER study team during baseline visits.