Can a popular weight-loss drug reduce risk of Alzheimer’s?

Sub : Sci

Sec :Human health

Context:

Recent research indicates that semaglutide, an active ingredient in diabetes and weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, may significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
This finding has been published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Study Methodology:

Researchers examined health records of over one million US patients with type 2 diabetes.
The study compared the effects of semaglutide against seven other diabetes medications, including metformin, insulin and liraglutide, tracking patients for up to three years for AD diagnoses.

Key findings of the study:

Semaglutide was found to lower the risk of a first-time Alzheimer’s diagnosis by 40% to 70% compared to other diabetes medications.
The study results were consistent across various demographics, including age, gender, and obesity status.
The benefits of semaglutide became apparent within 30 days of treatment, with sustained effects observed over time.

How it works:

The study on GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), including semaglutide, suggests they may protect brain function and mitigate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression.
The findings indicate that semaglutide can lower toxic protein levels, improve glucose utilization in brain cells, reduce harmful plaques and tangles, and decrease neuroinflammation, all of which are linked to AD.

Potential implications:

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two treatments, Biogen’s Leqembi and Eli Lilly’s Kisunla, that marginally slow the progression of AD by targeting the disease’s hallmark amyloid plaques in the brain. But these can cause serious side effects, including brain swelling and brain bleeding.
GLP-1 drugs present a dual-purpose approach by managing diabetes and potentially preventing dementia, without the side effects.
This is particularly important for India, which has high rates of type 2 diabetes associated with cognitive decline due to insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

About Alzheimer’s disease:

A progressive disease wherein, brain cell connections and the cells themselves degenerate and die, eventually destroying memory and other important mental functions.
Alzheimer’s causes a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behaviour, and social skills, and it is the most common cause of dementia.
No cure exists, but medication and management strategies may temporarily improve symptoms.