How Ozempic can lower your risk of Alzheimer’s diseaseEThamPhoto – Getty Images
What if there was a drug that could do that? treat addictionreduce your risk of cardiovascular disease And colorectal cancersoothes the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)lower your blood sugar and more? Semaglutides like Ozempic could be the answer – and now there is one growing body of research suggesting that the medication may also reduce your risk of developing it Alzheimer’s disease And dementia.
Whether you’re taking the medication, considering continuing it, or just following the hype, it’s understandable to be curious.
Here’s what the latest study found about the link between Ozempic use and Alzheimer’s disease, plus what it means for future treatment.
Meet the expert: Verna Porter, MDa neurologist and director of the Division of Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurocognitive Disorders at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
What has the research yielded?
For the study, which was published in the journal Alzheimer’s and dementia in October, researchers analyzed three years of electronic data from nearly 1 million Americans with type 2 diabetes. The researchers then used a statistical approach that mimicked a randomized clinical trial.
They found that patients who were prescribed semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) had a “significantly” lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to people who had taken any of the seven other anti-diabetic drugs.
The exact figures depended on the type of medication patients were taking, but the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease was up to 70 percent lower in patients taking semaglutide compared to those taking insulin.
What is the relationship between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease?
There is a link between type 2 diabetes and dementia research This suggests that people with type 2 diabetes have a 50 percent higher risk of developing dementia. The link is strongest with vascular dementia, a form of cognitive decline that causes “changes in memory, thinking and behavior due to conditions that affect the blood vessels in the brain,” the study said. National Institute on Aging (NIA).
“The overlap between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease stems from shared risk factors such as insulin resistance, inflammation and an increased risk of vascular damage,” says Verna Porter, MDa neurologist and director of the Division of Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurocognitive Disorders at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
Why did semaglutide users have a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease?
It’s not entirely clear at this point. However, semaglutide suppresses inflammation, lowering the risk of obesity and heart disease, which are risk factors for developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, says Dr. Porter.
Why did semaglutide seem to work better than other antidiabetic drugs?
That is not yet clear. But the findings “add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that GLP-1 receptor agonists may have neuroprotective properties that may benefit patients beyond glucose control,” says Dr. Porter.
Semaglutide is in a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Others include Wegovy, Mounjaro and more.
Can taking the semaglutide drug Ozempic reduce my risk of Alzheimer’s disease?
It is important to point out that this particular study simply found a link between taking semaglutide and having a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people with type 2 diabetes. It did not find that semaglutide was used causes It.
Furthermore, this study was not actually a randomized controlled clinical trial, but merely simulated. But it certainly raises some questions.
Ultimately, doctors need much more data before prescribing semaglutide for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. “As a physician, I am aware of the need for further research – including longer-term studies and randomized controlled trials – to better understand the mechanisms and validate these findings before making changes to my treatment approach,” says Dr. Porter.
How can I reduce my risk of Alzheimer’s disease?
There are many aspects of Alzheimer’s disease that remain a mystery, but the… Alzheimer’s Association says there are a few things you can do to lower your risk:
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Try to control your blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol
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Get regular exercise
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Eat one heart-healthy diet with limited sugars and saturated fats, and make sure you get fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
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Try to stay socially connected
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Try to stimulate your brain regularly
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Try it reduce your risk of head trauma by wearing a seat belt and a helmet while cycling
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