FAT jabs may lower the risk of the UK's biggest killer, according to a study of almost 400,000 adults with type 2 diabetes.
The research, published in JAMA Neurology, examined two types of drugs among the over-50-year-olds.
These were GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which include popular medications like Wegovy and Monjaro, and SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2is).
Findings, published in JAMA Neurology, showed that people taking GLP-1RAs had a 33 per cent lower risk of developing disease, while SGLT2i users had a 43 per cent lower risk compared to those on other drugs.
However, there was found to be no significant difference in effectiveness between the two drug types.
Alzheimer's disease is the main type of – a memory-robbing disease that affects almost one million people in the UK.
The team, led by researchers at the University of Florida, found that among the GLP-1RAs, “semaglutide seems to be promising in reducing the risk of ADRD (Alzheimer disease and related )”.
Semaglutide is one type of GLP-1RA drug approved in the UK for management
“This finding is particularly intriguing given the existing research on ,”; researchers added.
Dr Leah Mursaleen, head of clinical research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This study adds to growing evidence that GLP-1RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors may reduce dementia risk.
“We don’t know yet why these medicines may be offering a protective effect, and will need more research to understand how they are affecting the brain.”;
“Clinical trials are already looking at the use of these types of drugs, including the EVOKE study, which is testing semaglutide (Ozempic) as a potential treatment for people with early Alzheimer’s.
“While the findings of this study are interesting, it’s important to consider whether any other factors might be influencing the results such as the severity of type 2diabetes, health, income, and education.”
GLP-1RA drugs mimic the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which is naturally released after eating.
While they are well-known for controlling appetite and blood sugar, emerging research suggests they
Evidence suggests they may also help with , ,, and, while curbing and addictions.
It comes as another study, also published in Jama Neurology today, suggested that GLP-1RAs are “associated with a statistically significant reduction in dementia”;.
The study analysed 26 clinical trials involving almost 165,000 patients.
It was also looking at whether drugs like SGLT2is and GLP-1RAs, as well as diabetes medications and pioglitazone, led to a reduction in risk of dementia or cognitive impairment.
It found most drugs “were not associated with an overall reduction in all-cause dementia”; although “GLP-1RAs was associated with a statistically significant reduction in all-cause dementia”;.
It is important to note that these drugs do have side effects and that they are not guaranteed to prevent dementia.
Prof Tara Spires-Jonesdirector of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh
Dr Richard Oakley, director of research and innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Whilst both of these studies found a link between GLP-1RAs and reduced dementia risk, only one found SGLT2is, another class of diabetes drug, were also associated with a reduced risk.
“More research is needed to properly understand how diabetes treatments may lower the risk of dementia, by tracking people for longer, especially as they get older.”;
Prof Tara Spires-Jones said the data is “encouraging”; for the “potential of using GLP-1Ras to lower dementia risk in people with diabetes”;.
“But even within these two strong studies, there are slightly conflicting results over SGLT2is,”; said Prof Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, group leader in the UK Dementia Research Institute, and president of the British Neuroscience Association.
“It is important to note that these drugs do have side effects and that they are not guaranteed to prevent dementia.”
“The studies had important limitations including a relatively short follow up time.”
Masud Husain, a professor of neurology and cognitive neuroscience at the University of Oxford, said: “The wider question of whether such drugs might also be protective against dementia in people who don’t have diabetes is a really intriguing one, and the focus of several ongoing clinical trials.”;
