June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.
Promising analysis alert!
In case you watch TV or any display screen in any respect, you’ve in all probability heard of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, or GLP-1 medicine. The favored prescription weight-loss drugs assist handle blood sugar and scale back urge for food in folks residing with Kind 2 diabetes and obesity.
GLP-1 medicine have additionally been related to reduced risk for cardiovascular events, kidney events and kidney failure. Now, researchers are hoping so as to add Alzheimer’s to the checklist.
A latest study discovered that the GLP-1 drug semaglutide (which you will know as Ozempic and Wegovy), might gradual the event of Alzheimer’s and even stop the situation in folks with Kind 2 diabetes.
“That’s a significant discovering, particularly because it was based mostly on real-world well being data from over 1,000,000 folks,” stated Babak Tousi, M.D., director of medical trials at Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Middle for Mind Well being in Cleveland, Ohio.
The examine discovered folks with Kind 2 diabetes who took semaglutide had been considerably much less possible — 40% to 70% — to be identified with Alzheimer’s inside three years in comparison with folks taking different diabetes drugs, together with different GLP-1 medicine.
“It means that semaglutide could also be doing extra than simply controlling blood sugar — it could offer actual mind safety,” Tousi stated.
Read: The Skinny on Microdosing GLP-1 Drugs >>
How semaglutide impacts mind well being
Analysis is ongoing concerning the impact of semaglutide on the mind — and most research contain animals up to now — however a rising physique of analysis reveals that semaglutide might profit cognitive perform in folks with diabetes and/or weight problems by improved reminiscence, studying and total psychological efficiency.
One systematic review discovered that semaglutide protected the blood-brain barrier, which is chargeable for stopping toxins, pathogens (substances that trigger illness) and different dangerous substances from leaking into the mind.
“Semaglutide might calm mind irritation, particularly within the mind’s immune cells known as microglia, and assist defend the blood-brain barrier — which acts like a safety guard for the mind,” Tousi stated. “It additionally seems to enhance blood circulation, scale back oxidative stress — a kind of harm that builds up within the mind — and assist mind cell perform. All of those components play a task in Alzheimer’s illness.”
One other study discovered that semaglutide reversed the indicators of growing older in key mind cells that assist preserve our mind clear, protected and balanced. “Age can result in these cells appearing up, inflicting irritation within the mind and confusion. Taking semaglutide helped these cells behave like they’d in youthful brains,” Tousi stated.
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Tousi additionally famous that the examine discovered semaglutide prevented the formation of a kind of astrocyte — a mind cell that turns poisonous underneath stress — that worsens irritation and damages mind tissue, a course of additionally seen in Alzheimer’s illness.
That is much like the findings of yet another study, which famous that semaglutide improved cognitive capabilities in mice by performing a number of capabilities, considered one of which was decreasing the quantity of amyloid plaques within the mind. Amyloid plaques are thought to play a task in Alzheimer’s, and this analysis means that semaglutide might not solely have a task in Alzheimer’s prevention, however can also enhance Alzheimer’s in individuals who have already got it.
Semaglutide for folks in danger for Alzheimer’s
Type 2 diabetes and weight problems are each identified danger components for Alzheimer’s illness. However given the latest findings in human research, semaglutide could also be useful for anybody in danger for Alzheimer’s illness.
“As a result of semaglutide seems to assist scale back irritation and defend the mind, there’s rising curiosity in whether or not it may also profit folks with out diabetes, particularly these with early reminiscence issues or sturdy household historical past of dementia,” Tousi stated. “This might sign a future the place a typical diabetes drug performs a giant function in mind well being and even dementia prevention.”
That is particularly essential to notice for ladies and folks assigned feminine at delivery (AFAB) since Alzheimer’s is extra widespread in ladies than males. About 1 in 5 ladies can be identified with Alzheimer’s illness of their lifetime in comparison with 1 in 10 males.
There’s presently no remedy for Alzheimer’s, so developments in remedy choices to handle and stop the illness are essential.
Promising new analysis on the horizon
There may be hope on the horizon concerning semaglutide’s function in stopping or treating Alzheimer’s illness. The outcomes of the first large-scale human study displaying whether or not semaglutide can gradual Alzheimer’s in folks with early phases of illness — even in folks with out Kind 2 diabetes — can be launched in September.
Read: Should You Get a Blood Test for Alzheimer’s? >>
Tousi stated the examine features a sub-study the place spinal fluid is being analyzed to assist uncover how the drug works within the mind. The examine might present clues about semaglutide’s precise mechanism and information future therapies.
“It’s additionally price noting Alzheimer’s impacts ladies greater than males, and early knowledge hints that semaglutide’s mind advantages could also be even stronger in ladies,” Tousi stated. “These trials ought to assist make clear that.”
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