Can GLP-1 medication reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease?
GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Semeglutide (Ozempic® and Wegovy®) are becoming a household name for weight-loss treatments for clinically obese patients, with 82% of adults having heard about GLP-1 medications.
However, the benefits of GLP-1 medications are not just limited to diabetes and weight loss, recent studies have proven GLP-1 medications having a beneficial role of the prevention of dementia-type diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by our aging population, with 6.7 million Americans aged over 65 living with the condition, with a projection that this number could grow to 13.8 million by 2060.
How does GLP-1 medication prevent Alzheimer’s Disease? The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease remains inconclusive, however it is most likely due to a combination of factors such as:
- The build up of abnormal proteins around brain cells, such as amyloid and tau proteins
- Brain shrinking with age
- Genetics
- Lifestyle conditions such as those leading to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are able to cross the blood brain barrier and bind to the receptors of GLP-1 on neurons in the brain. Once there, they are able to reduce inflammation and improve neurone function. In early rodent trials GLP-1 receptor agonists led to reduced protein deposits of amyloid and tau, which reduced inflammation and improved memory.
Other studies have suggested a link to taking Semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) and up to a 70% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk.
The evoke and evoke+ clinical trials are currently underway for the research into GLP-1 receptor agonists (once daily oral semeglutide) as being a valuable treatment for amyloid receptive Alzheimer’s presentations. The results are due this year, a very exciting time for medicine indeed!
While we only prescribe our Semeglutide medications (Ozempic® and Wegovy®) for weight-loss for clinically obese clients, it is reassuring that there may be other future benefits to these treatments such as risk reduction of Alzheimer’s development.
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