A new study published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia suggests that semaglutide, the active ingredient in the drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. The findings add to the growing body of evidence indicating that GLP-1 receptor agonists may offer neurological benefits.
The study, which analyzed three years of medical records from over 1 million patients aged 60 and older with type 2 diabetes, compared semaglutide to seven other diabetes medications, including metformin, insulin, and liraglutide. Participants also had at least one other underlying condition such as obesity, hypertension, or heart disease and had not used a diabetes drug within the past six months. The research revealed that patients prescribed semaglutide exhibited a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to those on other diabetes treatments. Notably, the risk was reduced by 70% when compared to patients taking insulin.
Potential Mechanisms and Future Research
Researchers are still investigating the precise mechanisms by which semaglutide may protect against Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Stephen Salloway, a professor of neurology at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, noted that semaglutide has demonstrated positive effects on several risk factors for dementia, including inflammation, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Donna Wilcock, editor-in-chief of Alzheimer's & Dementia, added that GLP-1 drugs may improve the health of blood vessels, which are often impacted in Alzheimer's disease.
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, is currently conducting two phase 3 clinical trials to assess the efficacy of semaglutide in over 3,000 patients with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The results of these trials are anticipated next year. "If this actually works, it would be huge," Salloway said.
Considerations and Context
While the findings are promising, experts caution that further research is needed to confirm the potential benefits of semaglutide for Alzheimer's prevention. Dr. Alberto Espay, a neurologist at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, emphasized the need for caution, noting that previous studies on statins, NSAIDs, and insulin initially suggested positive effects on Alzheimer's, but these were not ultimately substantiated. It remains unclear whether the observed benefits are independent of semaglutide's impact on type 2 diabetes, a known risk factor for dementia.
The current landscape of Alzheimer's treatment includes two FDA-approved therapies, Leqembi and Kisunla, which aim to slow disease progression by targeting amyloid plaques in the brain. However, these treatments are costly and carry the risk of serious side effects. If semaglutide proves effective in clinical trials, it could represent a significant advancement in preventive Alzheimer's care.
