Popular diabetes, weight loss drug may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease
A new study suggests that semaglutide, used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss under the brand names Vegovy and Ozempic, may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
A compound called semaglutide is widely used for type 2 diabetes and even weight loss. However, a new study finds that this compound may also help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the world’s fastest growing neurological disorder.
A study from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine showed that semaglutide may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in people who have type 2 diabetes.
The research compared semaglutide with seven other anti-diabetes drugs and found that the risk of Alzheimer’s was significantly reduced in those taking it.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory and thinking. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, which takes more lives each year than breast and prostate cancer combined.
The study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, analyzed data from nearly one million American patients with type 2 diabetes over three years.
Led by Professor Rong Xu, researchers used statistical methods to simulate the effects of a clinical trial. They found that those taking semaglutide were significantly less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than patients taking other diabetes drugs, including drugs that target similar pathways.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular drugs such as Vegovy and Ozempic, helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduce appetite in people with type 2 diabetes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh leading cause of death in the US, with approximately 120,000 Americans dying from it each year.
“This study provides real-world evidence that semaglutide may have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s,” said Xu, who is also director of the Center for AI in Drug Discovery.
However, he said that although the findings are promising, more research is needed to confirm the results through clinical trials.
“Our study highlights the need for further investigation of the potential of semaglutide to prevent or treat this devastating disease,” Xu said.
