A new research, published on Monday (7) in the magazine Jame NeurologyIt points out that certain treatments for diabetes and weight loss (such as Ozepian and Wegovy) can reduce the risk of developing some form of dementia.
The researchers did one Data analysis of 26 clinical studies done beforewhich together have involved more than 160,000 people to understand if drugs that have GLP-1 really help to reduce the risk of dementia.
Other observational studies, based on medical records, already pointed out that drugs such as Semaglutido (present in Ozempic and Wegovy), Liraglutide and improved were associated with a slight reduction in the risk.
Researchers at Galway University in Ireland investigated the results of randomized tests, where various types of GLP-1 measures were administered to people with type 2 diabetes.
Participants were not yet diagnosed with dementia or any other type of cognitive deterioration, and the effects of drugs were compared to a placebo.
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According to the research, the use of these medications can significantly reduce the risk of dementia, at least as long as studies were followed by at least six months.
Context
Until then, the medical community believed that blood glucose control may have the effect of “protecting” dementia, as diabetes is one of the risk factors for the disease. In a study by the University of Florida, the study group understood that SGLT2 inhibitors (which are drugs that reduce glucose by increasing elimination through the kidneys) could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
But now, with a placebo control group made by Catriona Reddin -leaded team, it was possible to conclude that SGLT2 inhibitors were not related to lower risk of dementia. This also indicates that the effects of GLP-1 medication go beyond glycemic control.
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What is not yet clear is the mechanism where drugs operate to reduce inflammation (and neuroinflamation), which is recognized as one of the causes of dementia.
Reddin explains that by relieving chronic inflammation, LPG-1 can slow down the death of the brain cells. In addition, medication can also improve protection against cardiovascular problems such as the plate accumulation in arteries and hypertension, which are also risk factors for dementia.
However, we are not yet at a time when a patient who is more likely to develop dementia could be treated with an GLP-1 only with this goal, as there is a need for more studies and more tracking time.
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The researcher claims in a press release that “large scale tests should be carried out specifically to investigate the effect of hypoglycemic therapy on dementia and cognitive decline.”