June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.
Promising analysis alert!
When you watch TV or any display screen in any respect, you’ve most likely 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 listing.
A latest study discovered that the GLP-1 drug semaglutide (which you will know as Ozempic and Wegovy), could gradual the event of Alzheimer’s and even forestall 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,” mentioned Babak Tousi, M.D., director of medical trials at Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Heart for Mind Well being in Cleveland, Ohio.
The examine discovered folks with Kind 2 diabetes who took semaglutide have been considerably much less probably — 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 might offer actual mind safety,” Tousi mentioned.
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 to date — however a rising physique of analysis exhibits that semaglutide could profit cognitive perform in folks with diabetes and/or weight problems via improved reminiscence, studying and general 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 could calm mind irritation, particularly within the mind’s immune cells referred to as microglia, and assist shield the blood-brain barrier — which acts like a safety guard for the mind,” Tousi mentioned. “It additionally seems to enhance blood movement, scale back oxidative stress — a kind of harm that builds up within the mind — and help mind cell perform. All of those components play a job in Alzheimer’s illness.”
One other study discovered that semaglutide reversed the indicators of ageing in key mind cells that assist preserve our mind clear, protected and balanced. “Age can result in these cells performing up, inflicting irritation within the mind and confusion. Taking semaglutide helped these cells behave like they’d in youthful brains,” Tousi mentioned.
Take Our Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Alzheimer’s Disease? >>
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 just like the findings of another study, which famous that semaglutide improved cognitive capabilities in mice by performing a number of features, certainly one of which was decreasing the quantity of amyloid plaques within the mind. Amyloid plaques are thought to play a job in Alzheimer’s, and this analysis means that semaglutide could not solely have a job 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 recognized 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 shield 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 mentioned. “This might sign a future the place a standard diabetes drug performs an enormous function in mind well being and even dementia prevention.”
That is particularly necessary to notice for girls and folks assigned feminine at delivery (AFAB) since Alzheimer’s is extra frequent in girls than males. About 1 in 5 girls might be identified with Alzheimer’s illness of their lifetime in comparison with 1 in 10 males.
There’s presently no treatment for Alzheimer’s, so developments in remedy choices to handle and forestall the illness are essential.
Promising new analysis on the horizon
There’s 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 levels of illness — even in folks with out Kind 2 diabetes — might be launched in September.
Read: Should You Get a Blood Test for Alzheimer’s? >>
Tousi mentioned 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 may present clues about semaglutide’s actual mechanism and information future therapies.
“It’s additionally price noting Alzheimer’s impacts girls greater than males, and early knowledge hints that semaglutide’s mind advantages could also be even stronger in girls,” Tousi mentioned. “These trials ought to assist make clear that.”
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