Ozempic Might Additionally Defend In opposition to Dementia, Stroke—and Even Demise

Primarily prescribed for sort 2 diabetes and weight reduction, medicines like Ozempic and Zepbound are additionally displaying promise in treating a variety of different circumstances, from sleep apnea to power kidney illness.

Now, a brand new examine revealed in JAMA Community Open means that for folks with weight problems and sort 2 diabetes, these medicine—generally known as GLP-1 receptor agonists—may additionally scale back the chance of demise and decrease the possibilities of creating two brain-related circumstances: dementia and ischemic stroke.

Kind 2 diabetes and weight problems are “main drivers” of those circumstances, stated the examine’s first creator, Huan-Tang Lin, MD, PhD, an attending doctor and affiliate professor of anesthesiology at Chang Gung Faculty of Medication in Taiwan.

“This extends [GLP-1s’] therapeutic scope from glycemic management, weight reduction, and cardiovascular management to direct neuro- and cerebrovascular safety,” Lin informed Well being.

Researchers have beforehand discovered that GLP-1s could assist defend towards dementia and stroke. However based on the authors of the examine, “large-scale medical research evaluating their affiliation with neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular outcomes stay restricted, notably in high-risk sufferers with each sort 2 diabetes and weight problems.”

To assist fill the hole, researchers examined seven years’ price of well being knowledge from greater than 60,000 members, all of whom had sort 2 diabetes and weight problems. 

Some members have been taking diabetes medicine like biguanides (similar to metformin), sulfonylureas, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors. Others have been prescribed the GLP-1s semaglutide or tirzepatide. (Semaglutide is the lively ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus; tirzepatide is utilized in Mounjaro and Zepbound.)

After analyzing associations between the medicines and varied brain-related circumstances, the scientists found that members taking a GLP-1 had a:

37% decrease danger of dementia19% decrease danger of ischemic stroke (the commonest sort, brought on by a blocked blood vessel supplying the mind)30% decrease danger of demise from any trigger

The protecting impact towards dementia was particularly pronounced in girls over 60 and people with a BMI between 30 and 40. “Sufferers on this window have an particularly highly effective alternative to bolster mind well being,” stated Meghan Garcia-Webb, MD, a triple-board-certified doctor in inner medication, way of life medication, and weight problems medication in Massachusetts.

In the meantime, GLP-1s didn’t seem to cut back the chance of Parkinson’s illness or hemorrhagic stroke, which may happen when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds within the mind.

The examine “provides to the rising physique of analysis suggesting GLP-1 receptor agonists are highly effective instruments—not only for weight reduction and diabetes, however probably for neurological well being and cognition as properly,” Garcia-Webb informed Well being. 

Nonetheless, the analysis isn’t with out limitations. Like all observational examine, it exhibits solely an affiliation—not causation. Way of life habits, moderately than the GLP-1 medicines, might have influenced the outcomes, Lin famous.

As well as, researchers didn’t accumulate biomarkers, genetic knowledge, or mind imaging, all of which might have provided extra perception into what’s really taking place within the physique.

Lin emphasised that the findings “must be interpreted with warning” and confirmed in rigorously designed randomized managed trials earlier than informing medical suggestions.

Whereas the brand new examine doesn’t definitively show that GLP-1s scale back the chance of dementia and stroke, some analysis reveals how they could assist.

Scientists have discovered that GLP-1s scale back biomarkers linked to Alzheimer’s illness and dementia, similar to amyloid-β peptide accumulation and neuroinflammation.

These medicines may additionally enhance blood vessel operate and assist stabilize plaque buildup within the arteries, which might decrease the possibility of an ischemic stroke. As a result of tirzepatide targets two hormones as a substitute of 1, it might improve these protecting results.

Weight reduction itself may additionally play a job.

“When folks lose a big quantity of weight, as many do on semaglutide and tirzepatide, it not solely reduces irritation and improves blood sugar, but it surely additionally allows them to have improved mobility and fewer mechanical joint stress,” Garcia-Webb stated. “Sufferers who can transfer and train extra comfortably and extra typically can additional enhance their cardiovascular, metabolic, and psychological well being.”