Emerging research has revealed that widely-used diabetes and weight management medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro may also offer protection against Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia in the UK.
In a recent study involving nearly 400,000 adults over the age of 50 with type 2 diabetes, researchers found that two classes of medications – GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) were associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Published in JAMA Neurology, the study showed that:
- People taking GLP-1RAs had a 33% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
- Users of SGLT2 inhibitors had a 43% lower risk compared to those on other diabetes medications.
GLP-1RAs include semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic (approved for type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy (approved for weight management).
These medications mimic the hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite after eating.
Researchers from the University of Florida noted that semaglutide appears particularly promising in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Dr Leah Mursaleen from Alzheimer’s Research UK commented that this study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting diabetes medications may also benefit brain health.
However, she emphasized the need for more research to understand how these drugs interact with the brain.
The findings come alongside another large-scale review, also published in JAMA Neurology, which analysed 26 clinical trials involving over 165,000 participants.
This review supported the association between GLP-1RA use and a statistically significant reduction in all-cause dementia.
However, it found no overall reduction in dementia risk from other diabetes drugs like metformin or pioglitazone.
Professor Tara Spires-Jones, Director at the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, welcomed the results as “encouraging,” particularly for individuals already living with type 2 diabetes.
However, she cautioned that the studies had limitations, including relatively short follow-up periods, and that more long-term trials are needed.
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Professor Masud Husain, from the University of Oxford, added that ongoing research is investigating whether these potential brain-protective benefits extend to people without diabetes.
It’s important to note that, like all medications, GLP-1RAs and SGLT2is come with possible side effects and should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
While the findings are promising, they do not yet confirm that these drugs prevent dementia—more in-depth studies are needed.
