New studies have shown that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which are commonly used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, can also provide significant protection against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Two major studies published on Monday Zama neurology GLP-1 drugs have found a low risk of cognitive reduction for patients with type 2 diabetes.
One study shows that GLP-1 drugs are associated with a 33 % reduction in dementia risks, while other types of diabetes drugs, SGLT2 inhibitors, have a much larger advantage, reducing the risk by 43 %.
“We think of this as an initial point and the results are very promising, but Dr. Serena Guo, a senior author of the study and a pharmacist at the University of Florida, explained.
“This is one of the first practical studies that performed a comprehensive assessment of nerve glucose deterioration drugs for the reduction and prevention effects of the Alzheimer ‘S Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).
SGLT2 inhibitor It is a type of drug that helps lower blood sugar by preventing the kidneys from reinstalling glucose. It can be excreted in urine. Common brand names include Farxiga, Jardiance and Invokana.
GLP-1 drugs such as ozempic and Wegovy are usually used to manage type 2 diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels. They work by raising insulin, reducing sugar production in the liver, and delaying digestion.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity not only to the power of fighting diabetes, but also to the ability to help weight loss.
Other studies have shown that GLP-1 drugs can benefit from cardiovascular health and help protect them. Kidney diseaseAnd now it can reduce the risk of dementia.
Meanwhile, the ratio of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is It increases worldwideIncluding Canada There are about 771,000 Canadians We are currently living with dementia and are expected to grow significantly for decades.
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Dr. Sharon Cohen, a neurologist headquartered in Toronto, said the results of this study are “important.” There is already a convergence of convergence that supports glucose lowered drugs for use in Alzheimer’s disease.
“So research provides more support for this idea,” she said.
GUO’s research focused on the electronic health records of Florida patients from January 2014 to June 2023, and focused on people over 50 years of age without pre -diagnosis of dementia and dementia.
The researchers looked at more than 90,000 individual data that were treated with GLP-1RAS or SGLT2I and compared with others about other glucose decreased drugs.
SGLT2IS has been used to go back to diabetes, but is the latest awareness and use of GLP-1RA, depending on the brand name that can be lost or recognized.
This study found that GLP-1RA and SGLT2I have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia than other treatments.
The result was promising. Both drug classes have a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s and related dementia.
Specifically, the study shows that GLP-1RA has a 33 % lower risk of dementia and a much greater impact on SGLT2IS, reducing the risk by 43 %. But when comparing the two drugs directly, there was no big difference in the effect.
“We were surprised, compared to other drugs, they were not only low in risk, but also showed a relatively large effect, and about 30-40 %reduced the risk of ADRD.
Second study Post Zama neurology Similar results have been found. The meta -analysis of 160,000 patients has investigated whether certain glucose decreased drugs, known as heart protection benefits, can reduce the risk of dementia or cognitive reduction.
GLP-1 drugs were associated with statistically significant decrease in dementia risks. However, this study found that SGLT2I drugs did not show significant connection with the decrease in dementia risks. SGLT2 or GLP-1 drugs did not significantly reduce the risk of vascular dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
How can this drug protect the brain
In GUO’s study, she said that the mechanism of how drugs, such as Ozempic, could help to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia. She stressed that more research is needed to solve this effect.
“We need more precious mechanical research to prove the mechanism that connects GLP-1 receptor agents and SGLT-2 inhibitors to ADRD results,” she said.
However, one of the possible reason for this is that GLP-1 is good at lowering the level of glucose and weight. Obesity and hyperglycemia can help lower risks because the risk factors of dementia are known, she said.
Another idea is that GLP-1 drugs and SGLT2 inhibitors can cut inflammation, improve insulin, and even new brain cells can grow to protect the brain. It also increases blood flow to the brain and reduces oxidation stress, which can play an important role in cognitive reduction.
GUO said, “Our research is to use Florida’s electronic health record data, so the next step is to check the results of the research in other populations.
“We are very pleased with the results, but especially in the case of GLP-1 receptor agents, more research and further research have been carried out. We have actually increased in the last few years. We need new data to explore and understand the benefits of this therapeutic class and the entire picture of the safety profile.”
Cohen said that drugs such as Ozempic have already shown promise to help mental health problems, addiction and obsessive compulsive disorders. Their potential neural protection effect can also help with conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson and other dementia.
She said, “Wow, the sky is the limit of this drug? Well, careful exams will summarize it, but we are hopeful.”
