Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, primarily used for treating type 2 diabetes, may also reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a recent study. The research indicates that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, could potentially delay or prevent the onset of this debilitating neurodegenerative condition.
The study, presented on Thursday, revealed that semaglutide was associated with a 40% to 70% lower risk of a first-time Alzheimer's diagnosis in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to other diabetes medications. This includes insulin, metformin, liraglutide and dulaglutide.
Study Details and Findings
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University analyzed three years of electronic health records from nearly 1 million U.S. patients with diabetes who had no prior Alzheimer's diagnosis. The study compared the incidence of Alzheimer's diagnoses among patients treated with semaglutide versus those treated with seven other diabetes medications, including insulin, metformin, liraglutide and dulaglutide.
The results showed that semaglutide was associated with a roughly 70% lower risk of first-time Alzheimer's diagnosis compared with insulin, a nearly 60% lower risk compared with metformin, and a 40% lower risk compared with other GLP-1s. Furthermore, patients on semaglutide also had significantly fewer prescriptions for Alzheimer's disease-related medications.
Clinical Significance and Expert Commentary
Dr. Rong Xu, a biomedical informatics professor at Case Western Reserve University and co-author of the study, emphasized the potential of semaglutide as a preventive treatment. "By the time many patients are diagnosed with the disease, it's often too late for treatment," Xu told CNBC, highlighting the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors like obesity and diabetes early on.
The findings contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting that GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Eli Lilly's diabetes drugs, may offer health benefits beyond their established effects on weight loss and blood sugar control. Novo Nordisk is currently conducting a late-stage clinical trial to evaluate semaglutide as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's patients.
Context and Future Directions
Alzheimer's disease affects nearly 7 million Americans and is the fifth-leading cause of death for adults over 65, according to the Alzheimer's Association. With the number of Alzheimer's patients projected to rise to almost 13 million in the U.S. by 2050, the need for effective preventive and therapeutic strategies is critical.
While there are currently no cures for Alzheimer's, existing treatments focus on managing symptoms or slowing disease progression in early stages. The study's findings suggest that semaglutide and other GLP-1s may offer a novel approach to preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Limitations and Further Research
The researchers acknowledged that the study has limitations due to its reliance on electronic health record data. They called for more research, including randomized clinical trials, to confirm the preventive effects of semaglutide and other GLP-1s on Alzheimer's disease. Future studies will also investigate the potential of GLP-1s to prevent Alzheimer's in patients with obesity.
