Type 2 Diabetics May Lower Risk of Alzheimer’s with Ozempic
New Study Finds Semaglutide Linked to 40-70% Reduced Risk of Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Type 2 diabetics may have a shot at significantly lowering their risk of Alzheimer’s disease if they take Ozempic instead of other diabetes medications, a new study finds.
How Semaglutide Works
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, mimics the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone, making users feel fuller for longer. This can help reduce the risk of chronic inflammation, which is known to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
Chronic Inflammation and Alzheimer’s
Chronic inflammation is a state where the immune system remains activated long after an injury or threat of illness has passed. Neuroinflammation, or inflammation of the nervous tissue, is often observed in Alzheimer’s patients. Diabetics tend to be at greater risk for Alzheimer’s due to high blood sugar, which can damage blood vessels in the brain and spur inflammation. Obesity has also been linked to chronic inflammation.
Study Findings
Researchers led by Case Western Reserve University biomedical informatics professor Rong Xu analyzed three years of electronic records for approximately 1 million Type 2 diabetic Americans free of Alzheimer’s at the start of the study. The researchers compared semaglutide to other GLP-1 drugs and anti-diabetes medications. Semaglutide was associated with a 40-70% reduced risk of a first-time Alzheimer’s diagnosis, especially against insulin and other GLP-1 drugs.
Further Research Needed
"We found that semaglutide was associated with a 40-70% reduced risk of a first-time Alzheimer’s diagnosis, especially against insulin and even compared to other GLP-1 drugs," said Xu. "Our results indicate that further research into semaglutide’s use will need to be further investigated through randomized clinical trials so alternative drugs can be tested as potential treatments for this debilitating illness."
Conclusion
The study’s findings suggest that semaglutide may be a promising treatment option for reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in Type 2 diabetics. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential benefits of semaglutide in the treatment of Alzheimer’s.
FAQs
Q: What is semaglutide?
A: Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, which mimics the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone, making users feel fuller for longer.
Q: How does semaglutide reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s?
A: Semaglutide reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s by directly reducing chronic inflammation and potentially activating certain T cells, which can have anti-inflammatory effects.
Q: What are the current FDA-approved uses of Ozempic and Wegovy?
A: Ozempic is approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults, and Wegovy is approved for adult weight loss.
Q: Is Elcelyx Biixprice conducting its own clinical trials on semaglutide for early Alzheimer’s?
A: Yes, the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is conducting its own clinical trials on semaglutide for early Alzheimer’s, with expected completion next year.
