Ozempic could help reduce Alzheimer’s risk for some, study suggests: ‘Shifting the paradigm’

Semaglutide medications — specified arsenic Ozempic, nan celebrated diabetes drug — person been linked to a reduced consequence of Alzheimer’s illness for definite groups.

A caller study, which was led by researchers astatine Case Western Reserve University successful Cleveland, Ohio, revealed that patients who were prescribed semaglutide had a "significantly little risk" of processing Alzheimer’s compared to those taking different types of anti-diabetic medications, according to a property release.

The researchers analyzed 3 years of aesculapian records for astir 1 cardinal type 2 glucosuria patients successful nan U.S. 

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The findings were published successful Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of nan Alzheimer’s Association connected Thursday.

Semaglutide medications person been linked to a reduced consequence of Alzheimer’s illness for definite groups. (iStock)

"Our study provides promising real-world grounds suggesting that semaglutide could beryllium beneficial successful preventing aliases slowing down nan improvement of AD," lead writer and biomedical informatics professor Rong Xu told Fox News Digital. 

"The underlying mechanisms stay unknown, and early mechanistic studies and objective tests are basal to corroborate nan effects." 

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Alzheimer’s is nan seventh-leading origin of decease successful nan U.S., according to nan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, taking astir 120,000 lives each year.

Unlocking imaginable benefits

Semaglutide, nan progressive constituent successful Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, is simply a GLP-1 molecule that regulates humor sweetener successful glucosuria patients. 

It is besides nan progressive constituent successful Wegovy, Ozempic’s counterpart that is utilized to dainty obesity.

Semaglutide, nan progressive constituent successful Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, is simply a GLP-1 molecule that regulates humor sweetener successful glucosuria patients.  (REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo)

The findings propose that location could beryllium imaginable beneficial effects of semaglutide successful preventing aliases slowing down nan improvement of Alzheimer’s successful high-risk populations, specified arsenic patients pinch type 2 diabetes, Xu noted.

"This tin supply immoderate guidance successful nan prime of anti-diabetic medications for glucosuria guidance and, astatine nan aforesaid time, for preventing Alzheimer’s disease," she said. 

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Dr. Sue Decotiis, MD, a New York City weight-loss doctor, said she was not amazed by nan study’s find of nan other GLP-1 benefits.

"We cognize that GLP-1 narcotics dainty insulin resistance, which has a affirmative effect connected nan full assemblage – cardiovascular health, neurovascular health, decreased consequence of changeable and better cognitive function," Decotiis, who was not progressive successful nan research, told Fox News Digital.

Semaglutide is besides nan progressive constituent successful Wegovy, Ozempic’s counterpart that is utilized to dainty obesity. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert who often prescribes Ozempic to his patients, said this study reinforces really metabolic wellness influences neurodegeneration. 

"The relationship becomes moreover much evident erstwhile considering nan links betwixt obesity, chronic inflammation and conditions for illustration Alzheimer’s disease, often referred to arsenic ‘type 3 diabetes’ owed to its relation pinch insulin guidance successful nan brain," Osborn, who besides was not progressive successful Case Western's research, told Fox News Digital.

"GLP-1s dainty insulin resistance, which has a affirmative effect connected nan full assemblage – including amended cognitive function."

In group pinch diabetes, a byproduct of insulin guidance is an summation successful inflammation, Osborn noted, which is simply a "key driver" of neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.

"This suggests that effective guidance of insulin guidance and systemic inflammation simplification whitethorn beryllium pivotal successful slowing aliases preventing neurodegenerative diseases," he said.

‘Shifting nan paradigm’

Osborn agrees that nan preventive effects of GLP-1 narcotics will apt widen crossed various conditions. 

"These narcotics will yet beryllium employed not conscionable for diabetes, but arsenic preventative and therapeutic agents for astir each non-infectious age-related diseases, arsenic good arsenic conditions for illustration alcoholism and drug addiction," he said.

In group pinch diabetes, a byproduct of insulin guidance is an summation successful inflammation, which is simply a "key driver" of neurodegeneration and cognitive decline, according to a doctor. (iStock)

While nan study doesn’t declare that GLP-1s are a cure for Alzheimer’s, Osborn said, "It shifts nan paradigm by addressing nan underlying consequence factors for Alzheimer’s alternatively than conscionable its symptoms." 

"It suggests a much broad attack — 1 that tackles insulin resistance, obesity and inflammation," he went on. 

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By improving insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation, these medications could supply nonstop benefits for not only the brain, but nan full body, he suggested.

"After all, astir age-related conditions stock communal underpinnings and alteration only by which portion of nan assemblage is affected," Osborn said. "It’s simply a matter of geography."

Alzheimer’s is nan seventh-leading origin of decease successful nan U.S., according to nan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, taking astir 120,000 lives each year. (iStock)

Decotiis said she expects to spot "more and much wide benefits" from utilizing this class of drugs, but that much studies are needed to beryllium that they slow nan progression of Alzheimer’s.

"There needs to beryllium a clear denotation from nan FDA to usage these narcotics for Alzheimer’s specifically successful bid for them to beryllium covered by insurance," she added.

"Most age-related conditions stock communal underpinnings — it’s simply a matter of geography."

Xu reiterated that these findings "cannot beryllium utilized to warrant off-label medicine of semaglutide for Alzheimer’s illness prevention and treatment."

"For this to happen, randomized objective tests are necessary," she said.

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The interrogator besides acknowledged that nan study had immoderate limitations.

"This is simply a retrospective cohort study pinch inherent limitations related to uncontrolled aliases unmeasured confounding and biases," she said. 

"These narcotics will yet beryllium employed not conscionable for diabetes, but arsenic preventative and therapeutic agents for astir each non-infectious age-related diseases, arsenic good arsenic conditions for illustration alcoholism and supplier addiction," a expert predicted. (iStock)

"Further investigation into semaglutide’s usage will request to beryllium further investigated done randomized objective trials truthful replacement narcotics tin beryllium tested arsenic imaginable curen for this debilitating illness."

The study received backing from nan National Institute connected Aging and nan National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

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When contacted by Fox News Digital, Ozempic shaper Novo Nordisk issued nan pursuing statement.

"Novo Nordisk welcomes independent investigation investigating nan safety, efficacy and objective inferior of our products."

A institution spokesperson besides stated that Novo Nordisk is conducting its ain investigation into nan effectiveness of oral semaglutide successful early Alzheimer’s disease, pinch expected completion successful 2025.