A recent study from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine indicates that semaglutide, a drug commonly used for managing type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss, may also lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The findings, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, offer a promising avenue for further research into potential preventative measures against Alzheimer's.
The research team, headed by Rong Xu, analyzed three years of electronic health records from nearly 1 million patients across the United States with T2D. Their statistical analysis mimicked a randomized clinical trial, comparing the incidence of Alzheimer's disease among patients prescribed semaglutide to those prescribed one of seven other antidiabetic medications, including other GLP-1R-targeting medications. The results consistently showed a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer's disease in the semaglutide group across various subgroups, including different obesity statuses, genders, and ages.
Semaglutide's Potential Neuroprotective Effects
Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, functions by reducing hunger and regulating blood sugar levels in individuals with T2D. It is the active ingredient in drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic. While preclinical studies have hinted at semaglutide's potential to protect against neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, this new study provides real-world evidence of its impact on Alzheimer's disease.
Implications and Future Research
Alzheimer's disease affects nearly 7 million Americans aged 65 and older and is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 120,000 deaths annually. Given the increasing prevalence and limited treatment options, any potential preventative measure is of significant interest.
"This new study provides real-world evidence for its impact on Alzheimer’s disease, even though preclinical research has suggested that semaglutide may protect against neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation," said Xu, director of the medical school’s Center for AI in Drug Discovery.
Despite these encouraging findings, the researchers caution against drawing firm causal conclusions due to the study's limitations. Xu emphasized the need for further investigation through randomized clinical trials to test semaglutide and other alternative drugs as potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease. "Our results indicate that further research into semaglutide’s use will need to be further investigated through randomized clinical trials so alternative drugs can be tested as potential treatment for this debilitating illness," Xu stated.
