Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that results in memory loss and other cognitive impairments such as thinking skills and the ability to perform daily tasks. While the exact cause is not fully understood, it is believed to result from a mix of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors which result in the accumulation of abnormal proteins around brain cells, brain shrinkage, damage to blood vessels and inflammation. Conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are thought to contribute to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: A New Hope?

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA’s), such as Semaglutide, are medications primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, they have shown promising potential in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. These drugs can cross the blood-brain barrier and bind to receptors in neurons, helping to reduce inflammation and improve neuron function. Early studies in animals have demonstrated that GLP-1 receptor agonists can decrease the buildup of amyloid and tau proteins, lower inflammation and enhance memory. The may also reduce the risk of cognitive decline by reducing the risk of cerebrovascular disease.

Recent Findings and Future Trials

Preliminary evidence suggests that GLP-1 RAs can improve cerebral glucose metabolism in patients with mild or moderate Alzheimer’s disease. In 2021, several studies highlighted that liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, reduced brain shrinkage by almost 50% and slowed memory loss in patients with Alzheimer’s. A recently published study analysed data from 1 million people with type 2 diabetes and no prior Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The study compared the occurrence of Alzheimer’s in patients taking different diabetes medications, including insulin, metformin and GLP-1 receptor agonists. It found that those taking Semaglutide (Ozempic), a type of GLP-1 receptor agonist, had up to a 70% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk. These results were consistent across different genders, ages and weights.

Promising findings that need further research

Further studies are needed to fully explore their potential role in treating and preventing Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. The results of the first of these trials, the EVOKE and EVOKE+, are anticipated this year. The studies are investigating the effectiveness of Semaglutide in treating cognitive impairment in people with early Alzheimer’s disease.

While we know that healthy lifestyle habits can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, if preliminary research findings are confirmed, medications like GLP-1RA’s may become critical tools in improving brain health and treating early Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.