Weight loss drug semaglutide linked to lower Alzheimer’s risk in people with diabetes
Researchers at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine have uncovered that semaglutide, a commonly used medication for managing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and weight loss, may reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with T2D. This study, which compared semaglutide to seven other widely used anti-diabetic drugs, suggests a potential link between the medication and a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s in those living with T2D.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually impairs memory, cognitive function, and, ultimately, the ability to carry out daily tasks. As reported by the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 7 million Americans aged 65 and older currently live with Alzheimer’s, which claims more lives annually than breast and prostate cancers combined.
The study, recently published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, analysed data from nearly one million electronic health records of individuals with T2D. Findings indicated that people with T2D who were prescribed semaglutide had a significantly reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those on alternative diabetes medications. This risk reduction was consistent across subgroups, irrespective of factors such as age, gender, or obesity status.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, which reduces appetite and aids in blood sugar control. It is also the active component in the well-known diabetes and weight management medications, Wegovy and Ozempic.
The research team, led by Professor Rong Xu, a biomedical informatics expert at Case Western Reserve, adopted a statistical model designed to closely mirror the dynamics of a randomised clinical trial, enabling them to gain real-world insights. Xu’s team combed through three years of electronic records for nearly one million individuals in the United States living with T2D, comparing the Alzheimer’s risk among those prescribed semaglutide to those using other anti-diabetic drugs, including alternative GLP-1R-targeting medications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 120,000 Americans die from Alzheimer’s each year, making it the seventh leading cause of death nationally. The findings from this study provide real-world evidence supporting semaglutide’s potential impact on Alzheimer’s disease. “This new study provides real-world evidence for its impact on Alzheimer’s disease, even though preclinical research has suggested that semaglutide may protect against neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation,” said Professor Xu, who directs the university’s Center for AI in Drug Discovery and is affiliated with the Cancer Genomics Epigenomics Program at Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Professor Xu emphasised, however, that while the study’s findings are promising, they do not allow the researchers to draw firm causal conclusions due to certain limitations. She explained, “Our results indicate that further research into semaglutide’s use will need to be further investigated through randomised clinical trials so alternative drugs can be tested as potential treatment for this debilitating illness.”
The study received funding from the National Institute on Aging and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, both divisions of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), under award numbers AG057557, AG061388, AG062272, AG076649, and TR004528. The authors emphasised that the study’s content is solely their responsibility and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.
By underscoring the potential neuroprotective properties of semaglutide, this research opens new avenues for investigating GLP-1R agonists in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. Further investigation is essential to establish the full extent of semaglutide’s potential to mitigate Alzheimer’s risk in individuals with T2D and, potentially, in broader populations.