Weight loss drugs like Ozempic have become all the rage, due to their potential to fight obesity, diabetes, and a range of chronic conditions. The GLP-1 drugs can have a significant impact on decreasing risk of dementia, according to two new studies published in JAMA Neurology.
The GLP-1 medications could help prevent cognitive declineas per the studies.
Decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
One of the studiespublished in JAMA Neurology, finds that GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide, dulaglutide and liraglutide, sold as Ozempic, Trulicity and Victoza, respectively affected dementia risk in people with type 2 diabetes.
The researchers also studied other diabetes drugs – SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Farxiga (dapagliflozin).
It was discovered that having any class of drugs was significantly associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, said Dr. Jingchuan Guo, one of the study’s authors.
“It’s exciting that these diabetes medications may offer additional benefits, such as protecting brain health,” Guo told The New York Post. “As the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) continues to expand, it becomes increasingly important to understand their real-world benefits and risks across diverse populations.”
GLP-1 drugs cut 45% lower risk of dementia.
Similar findings were published in JAMA Neurology in another analysis of 26 trials with 164,531 participants. The analysis found that taking GLP-1 drugs is linked to a staggering 45% lower risk of dementia.
“This research represents a significant contribution to our understanding of how glucose-lowering medications may impact brain health,” study co-author Dr. Catriona Reddin told The Post.
“Diabetes is a known risk factor for dementia, but whether glucose-lowering therapies can help prevent cognitive decline has remained unclear… Our findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists, in particular, are associated with reduced risk of dementia.”
Benefits for people with type 2 diabetes
The people involved in both studies suffered from type 2 diabetes as the data was from 2014, when these drugs were only prescribed to diabetics.
Also, people with diabetes are at a higher risk of Alzheimer’s as high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the brain and cause inflammation. Adding to the chronic inflammation is obesity which could also affect nervous tissue linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
More studies are needed on non-diabetic people
Researchers feel the next step is to see the performance of these drugs on people without type 2 diabetes, and observe if they confer the same benefits.
