Popular diabetes, weight loss drug could reduce risk of Alzheimer's disease

A new study suggests that semaglutide, used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss under brand names like Wegovy and Ozempic, could also lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

In Short

• Semaglutide, a drug used for type 2 diabetes, can lower risk of Alzheimer's disease
• Alzheimer's disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world
• Semaglutide showed promising results during clinical trials

A compound called semaglutide is a widely used for type 2 diabetes and even weight loss. However, a new study has found that this compound can also help in lowering the risk of Alzheimer's disease, the world's fastest growing neurological disorder.

The study from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine suggested that semaglutide could lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease, specifically in people who have type 2 diabetes.

The research compared semaglutide to seven other anti-diabetic drugs and found a significantly reduced risk of Alzheimer's in those taking it.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory and thinking. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, which claims more lives annually than breast and prostate cancer combined, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The study, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, analyzed data from nearly one million US patients with type 2 diabetes over three years.

Led by Professor Rong Xu, the researchers used statistical methods to simulate the effects of a clinical trial. They found that those taking semaglutide had a notably lower chance of developing Alzheimer's compared to patients on other diabetes medications, including drugs that target similar pathways.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic, helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduce hunger in people with type 2 diabetes.

Alzheimer's disease is the seventh-leading cause of death in the US, with around 1,20,000 Americans dying from it each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“This study provides real-world evidence that semaglutide may have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s,” said Xu, who is also the director of the Centre for AI in Drug Discovery.

However, she noted that while the findings are promising, more research is needed to confirm the results through clinical trials.

“Our study highlights the need for further investigation into semaglutide’s potential to prevent or treat this devastating disease,” Xu added.