Popular diabetes, weight loss drug may reduce risk of Alzheimerās 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 Alzheimerās disease.
in short
- Semaglutide, a drug used for type 2 diabetes, may reduce the risk of Alzheimerās disease.
- Alzheimerās disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world
- Semaglutide showed promising results during clinical trials
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 Alzheimerās disease, the worldās fastest growing neurological disorder.
A study from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine showed that semaglutide may reduce the risk of Alzheimerās 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 Alzheimerās was significantly reduced in those taking it.
Alzheimerās disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory and thinking. According to the Alzheimerās Association, there is currently no cure for Alzheimerās, which takes more lives each year than breast and prostate cancer combined.
The study, published in the journal Alzheimerās & 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 Alzheimerās 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), Alzheimerās disease is the seventh leading cause of death in the US, with approximately 120,000 Americans dying from it each year.
āThis study provides real-world evidence that semaglutide may have a protective effect against Alzheimerās,ā 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.
āOur study highlights the need for further investigation of the potential of semaglutide to prevent or treat this devastating disease,ā Xu said.
