Semaglutide medications such as the popular Ozempic diabetes medicine – has been associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease in certain groups.

A new study led by researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, found that patients prescribed semaglutide had a “significantly lower risk” of developing Alzheimer’s than patients taking other types of drugs. anti-diabetic drugsaccording to a press release.

Researchers analyzed three years of medical records from nearly one million type 2 diabetes patients in the United States

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The findings were published Thursday in Alzheimer and Dementia: Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Our study provides promising real-world evidence suggesting that semaglutide may be beneficial in preventing or slowing the development of AD,” lead author and professor of biomedical informatics Rong Xu told Fox News Digital.

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“The underlying mechanisms remain unknown and future mechanistic studies and clinical trials are required to confirm the effects.”

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, causing nearly 120,000 deaths each year.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk Ozempic, is a GLP-1 molecule that regulates blood sugar in diabetic patients.

It is also the active ingredient in Wegovy, Ozempic’s equivalent used in the treatment of obesity.

The findings suggest that semaglutide may have potential beneficial effects in preventing or slowing the development of Alzheimer’s in high-risk populations such as Alzheimer’s patients. type 2 diabetesXu remarked.

“This may provide some guidance in the selection of anti-diabetic drugs for diabetes management and also in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease,” he said.

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New York City weight loss doctor Dr. Sue Decotiis said she wasn’t surprised the study discovered extra GLP-1 benefits.

“We know that GLP-1 drugs treat insulin resistance, which has a positive effect on the whole body: cardiovascular health, neurovascular health, reduced risk of stroke and better cognitive functionDecotiis, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital:

Florida neurosurgeon and long-living physician who frequently prescribes Ozempic to his patients, Dr. Brett Osborn said this study reinforces how metabolic health affects neurodegeneration.

“The connection becomes even more apparent when considering the links between obesity, chronic inflammation, and conditions such as: Alzheimer’s diseaseOsborn, who was not involved in Case Western’s research, told Fox News Digital that it is often referred to as ‘type 3 diabetes’ due to its relationship with insulin resistance in the brain.

A byproduct of insulin resistance in people with diabetes is an increase in inflammation, which is a “primary driver” of neurodegeneration and cognitive decline, Osborn noted.

“This suggests that effective management of insulin resistance and reduction of systemic inflammation may be crucial in slowing or preventing neurodegenerative diseases,” he said.

Osborn acknowledges that the preventive effects of GLP-1 drugs will likely extend to a variety of conditions.

“These drugs will ultimately be used as preventive and therapeutic agents not only for diabetes, but also for almost all non-communicable age-related diseases, as well as conditions such as alcoholism and alcoholism. drug addiction” he said.

Although the study does not claim that GLP-1s are a cure for Alzheimer’s, Osborn said: “It shifts the paradigm by addressing the underlying risk factors of Alzheimer’s rather than just its symptoms.”

“This suggests a more comprehensive approach that combats insulin resistance, obesity, and inflammation,” he continued.

By improving insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation, these drugs not only brain“But your whole body,” he suggested.

“Ultimately, most age-related conditions share common underpinnings and vary only depending on which part of the body is affected,” Osborn said. “It’s just a matter of geography.”

Decotiis said he expects to see “increasingly widespread benefits” from using drugs in this category, but more studies are needed to prove they slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.

“In order for these drugs to be covered by insurance, there needs to be a clear indication from the FDA that they should be used specifically in the treatment of Alzheimer’s,” he added.

Xu reiterated that these findings “cannot be used to justify off-label prescription of semaglutide for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.”

“Randomized clinical trials are needed to make this happen,” he said.

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The researcher also acknowledged that the study had some limitations.

“This is a retrospective cohort study with inherent limitations related to uncontrolled or unmeasured confounding and bias,” he said.

“Further research into the use of Semaglutide will need to be investigated further randomized clinical trials “Therefore, alternative medications may be tested as potential treatments for this debilitating disease.”

The study received funding from the National Institute on Aging and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

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Ozempic producer Novo Nordisk provided the following statement when contacted by Fox News Digital.

“Novo Nordisk welcomes independent research investigating the safety, effectiveness and clinical benefit of our products.”

A company spokesperson also noted that Novo Nordisk is conducting its own study on the effectiveness of oral semaglutide in early Alzheimer’s disease and is expected to be completed in 2025.

Original article source: Study suggests Ozempic may help reduce Alzheimer’s risk: ‘It shifts the paradigm’