Given its properties and the fact that mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, α-synuclein, aging, have all been proposed to be involved in PD pathophysiological processes, and the potential benefits of metformin to counteract age-related disorders (cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases), metformin seems a reasonable pluripotent agent to try given its safety, ease of use and wide availability. The gene discussed is SNCA; the disease is Parkinson disease.