GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may significantly lower dementia risk, new study suggests
Shreedhar Rathi | Apr 09, 2025, 00:10 IST
( Image credit : Reuters )
A recent analysis of clinical trials indicates that diabetes and weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy may significantly lower the risk of dementia. The study, involving over 160,000 participants with type 2 diabetes, found that GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, were associated with a reduced likelihood of developing dementia.
A new analysis of dozens of clinical trials suggests that popular diabetes and weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy may do more than manage blood sugar and support weight loss—they could also significantly reduce the risk of dementia.
The findings, published by researchers at the University of Galway in Ireland, examined 26 randomized controlled trials involving over 160,000 people with type 2 diabetes. The studies focused on GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs that includes semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), liraglutide, and exenatide.
Participants in the trials had no prior diagnosis of dementia or cognitive decline, and results showed that those who received GLP-1 drugs were less likely to develop dementia than those who received a placebo—even during follow-up periods as short as six months.
“This definitely adds another stream of evidence,” said Ziyad Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis who was not involved in the research. “We’re beginning to see a consistent pattern suggesting these drugs may help protect the brain.”
Previous studies have suggested that controlling blood sugar levels can help reduce dementia risk, especially since diabetes is considered a risk factor for neurodegenerative conditions. But Reddin and her team’s analysis found that another class of diabetes drugs, SGLT2 inhibitors, which also lower blood sugar, did not offer the same protective effect, hinting that GLP-1 drugs may work through different pathways.
One key possibility: inflammation. Chronic inflammation has increasingly been recognized as a contributor to dementia and cognitive decline. GLP-1 drugs have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects, potentially reducing neuroinflammation and slowing brain cell death.
They may also offer cardiovascular protection, lowering the risk of stroke or vascular dementia by reducing plaque buildup and managing blood pressure.
“All roads seem to be leading to Rome,” said Al-Aly. “We now have observational data, and this meta-analysis of randomized studies adds real weight to the theory.”
While the results are promising, experts stress that more targeted research is needed. The trials included in the analysis were designed to study diabetes treatment, not specifically dementia prevention, and the follow-up periods were relatively short.
“We’re not yet at a place where we would prescribe GLP-1 drugs solely for dementia prevention,” said Al-Aly. However, he added that for people with type 2 diabetes who are also at high risk of cognitive decline—such as those with a family history of Alzheimer’s—these results may guide doctors toward choosing GLP-1 drugs over other glucose-lowering medications.
Two major clinical trials currently underway are investigating semaglutide as a direct treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease. Results from those studies are expected later this year and could offer even more clarity.
For now, this growing body of evidence suggests that medications like Ozempic and Wegovy may hold promise beyond weight loss—possibly as part of the fight against one of the most devastating neurological diseases of our time.
The findings, published by researchers at the University of Galway in Ireland, examined 26 randomized controlled trials involving over 160,000 people with type 2 diabetes. The studies focused on GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs that includes semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), liraglutide, and exenatide.
Participants in the trials had no prior diagnosis of dementia or cognitive decline, and results showed that those who received GLP-1 drugs were less likely to develop dementia than those who received a placebo—even during follow-up periods as short as six months.
“This definitely adds another stream of evidence,” said Ziyad Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis who was not involved in the research. “We’re beginning to see a consistent pattern suggesting these drugs may help protect the brain.”
Beyond Blood Sugar
One key possibility: inflammation. Chronic inflammation has increasingly been recognized as a contributor to dementia and cognitive decline. GLP-1 drugs have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects, potentially reducing neuroinflammation and slowing brain cell death.
They may also offer cardiovascular protection, lowering the risk of stroke or vascular dementia by reducing plaque buildup and managing blood pressure.
“All roads seem to be leading to Rome,” said Al-Aly. “We now have observational data, and this meta-analysis of randomized studies adds real weight to the theory.”
Cautious Optimism
“We’re not yet at a place where we would prescribe GLP-1 drugs solely for dementia prevention,” said Al-Aly. However, he added that for people with type 2 diabetes who are also at high risk of cognitive decline—such as those with a family history of Alzheimer’s—these results may guide doctors toward choosing GLP-1 drugs over other glucose-lowering medications.
Two major clinical trials currently underway are investigating semaglutide as a direct treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease. Results from those studies are expected later this year and could offer even more clarity.
For now, this growing body of evidence suggests that medications like Ozempic and Wegovy may hold promise beyond weight loss—possibly as part of the fight against one of the most devastating neurological diseases of our time.