June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.
Promising research alert!
If you watch TV or any screen at all, you’ve probably heard of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, or GLP-1 drugs. The popular prescription weight-loss medications help manage blood sugar and reduce appetite in people living with Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
GLP-1 drugs have also been associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular events, kidney events and kidney failure. Now, researchers are hoping to add Alzheimer’s to the list.
A recent study found that the GLP-1 drug semaglutide (which you may know as Ozempic and Wegovy), may slow the development of Alzheimer’s or even prevent the condition in people with Type 2 diabetes.
“That’s a major finding, especially since it was based on real-world health records from over a million people,” said Babak Tousi, M.D., director of clinical trials at Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Cleveland, Ohio.
The study found people with Type 2 diabetes who took semaglutide were significantly less likely — 40% to 70% — to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s within three years compared to people taking other diabetes medications, including other GLP-1 drugs.
“It suggests that semaglutide may be doing more than just controlling blood sugar — it may be offering real brain protection,” Tousi said.
Read: The Skinny on Microdosing GLP-1 Drugs >>
How semaglutide affects brain health
Research is ongoing regarding the effect of semaglutide on the brain — and most studies involve animals so far — but a growing body of research shows that semaglutide may benefit cognitive function in people with diabetes and/or obesity through improved memory, learning and overall mental performance.
One systematic review found that semaglutide protected the blood-brain barrier, which is responsible for stopping toxins, pathogens (substances that cause disease) and other harmful substances from leaking into the brain.
“Semaglutide may calm brain inflammation, especially in the brain’s immune cells called microglia, and help protect the blood-brain barrier — which acts like a security guard for the brain,” Tousi said. “It also appears to improve blood flow, reduce oxidative stress — a type of damage that builds up in the brain — and support brain cell function. All of these factors play a role in Alzheimer’s disease.”
Another study found that semaglutide reversed the signs of aging in key brain cells that help keep our brain clean, protected and balanced. “Age can lead to these cells acting up, causing inflammation in the brain and confusion. Taking semaglutide helped these cells behave like they would in younger brains,” Tousi said.
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Tousi also noted that the study found semaglutide prevented the formation of a type of astrocyte — a brain cell that turns toxic under stress — that worsens inflammation and damages brain tissue, a process also seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
This is similar to the findings of one more study, which noted that semaglutide improved cognitive capabilities in mice by performing several functions, one of which was reducing the amount of amyloid plaques in the brain. Amyloid plaques are thought to play a role in Alzheimer’s, and this research suggests that semaglutide may not only have a role in Alzheimer’s prevention, but may also improve Alzheimer’s in people who already have it.
Semaglutide for people at risk for Alzheimer’s
Type 2 diabetes and obesity are both known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. But given the recent findings in human studies, semaglutide may be helpful for anyone at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
“Because semaglutide appears to help reduce inflammation and protect the brain, there’s growing interest in whether it might also benefit people without diabetes, especially those with early memory concerns or strong family history of dementia,” Tousi said. “This could signal a future where a common diabetes drug plays a big role in brain health and even dementia prevention.”
This is especially important to note for women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) since Alzheimer’s is more common in women than men. About 1 in 5 women will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in their lifetime compared to 1 in 10 men.
There’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, so advancements in treatment options to manage and prevent the disease are crucial.
Promising new research on the horizon
There is hope on the horizon regarding semaglutide’s role in preventing or treating Alzheimer’s disease. The results of the first large-scale human study showing whether semaglutide can slow Alzheimer’s in people with early stages of disease — even in people without Type 2 diabetes — will be released in September.
Read: Should You Get a Blood Test for Alzheimer’s? >>
Tousi said the study includes a sub-study where spinal fluid is being analyzed to help uncover how the drug works in the brain. The study could provide clues about semaglutide’s exact mechanism and guide future treatments.
“It’s also worth noting Alzheimer’s affects women more than men, and early data hints that semaglutide’s brain benefits may be even stronger in women,” Tousi said. “These trials should help clarify that.”
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