Dozens of tests that have tested GLP-1 medications such as Semaglutide (the Ozempic and Wegovy drug) suggest that this type of treatments are capable of significantly reducing the risk of dementia.
A study this Monday at Jama Neurology revealed that the Ozepic and Wegovy can significantly reduce the risk of dementia.
The drugs used for diabetes and weight loss, known as GLP-1 agonists, had already been associated with a slight reduction in the risk of dementia, but so far the conclusions were based on observational studies that analyzed only health records.
Now, the new study has combined the results of 26 clinical trials with more than 160,000 participants, in which a series of GLP-1 drugs were administered to people with type 2 diabetes who had not yet been diagnosed with dementia or cognitive deficit, tested against a placebo.
Investigators concluded that taking these drugs seems to significantly reduce the risk of dementia development or cognitive deficiency During the minimum monitoring periods of six months of the essays.
As a grade A, diabetes may be a risk factor for dementia, so it has been suggested that simple blood sugar level control produces this protective effect. But the new study suggests that The protective effects of GLP-1 medications go beyond blood sugar control.
Although the exact mechanism is not clear, these drugs have been associated with a reduction of inflammationbeing the neuroinflamation increasingly recognized as a cause of dementia.
By reducing chronic inflammation, these medications can slow cell death in the brain, he explored, to New Scientist, Catriona Reddinfrom the University of Galway, Ireland, which was part of the investigation.
The GLP-1 drugs can also protect against cardiovascular problemssuch as the accumulation of signs in the arteries and hypertension, that could otherwise cause dementia.
Reddin admits, however, that the minimum period of follow -up of six months from Analysis was relatively short and states that “major tests should be performed to specifically study the effect of glucose reduction therapy on dementia and cognitive decline.”
As stated by New Scientist, two clinical trials investigating Semaglutide as the therapy for early Alzheimer’s disease should be completed later this year.
