A brand new learn about presentations that whilst maximum glucose-lowering treatments don’t considerably scale back dementia possibility, GLP-1 receptor agonists have been related to a forty five% decrease possibility. The analysis, involving over 160,000 contributors and revealed in JAMA Neurology, gives promising perception into how diabetes drugs might lend a hand give protection to mind well being.
A learn about led via two undergraduate scholars on the College of Galway discovered that GLP-1 receptor agonists, one of those diabetes drug, might considerably scale back the danger of dementia.
Two undergraduate clinical scholars on the College of Galway have led a big learn about investigating the impression of cardioprotective glucose-lowering treatments, drugs that each scale back blood sugar ranges and decrease the danger of center illness in folks with diabetes—at the possibility of creating dementia.
The findings have been revealed in JAMA Neurology.
The learn about incorporated a scientific evaluation and meta-analysis of 26 scientific trials, encompassing information from over 160,000 contributors.
The evaluation printed that whilst maximum glucose-lowering drugs didn’t considerably regulate the danger of dementia, one magnificence, GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), used to be related to a significant relief in dementia possibility.
Well-liked GLP-1 receptor agonists come with drugs equivalent to semaglutide (logo names Ozempic and Wegovy), liraglutide (Victoza and Saxenda), and dulaglutide (Trulicity).
Those medicine mimic the motion of a herbal hormone known as GLP-1, which is helping keep an eye on blood sugar via stimulating insulin unlock, slowing gastric emptying, and lowering urge for food. At the beginning evolved to regard kind 2 diabetes, some GLP-1 receptor agonists also are licensed for weight control because of their results on urge for food and metabolism.
College of Galway third-year clinical scholars Allie Seminer and Alfredi Mulihano. Credit score: College of Galway
The learn about used to be performed via clinical scholars Allie Seminer and Alfredi Mulihano, along researchers from the College of Galway, the HRB Scientific Analysis Facility Galway, and the College Sanatorium Galway.
Key Findings
The analysis analyzed information from 26 randomized managed trials with a complete of 164,531 contributors.
Whilst glucose-lowering treatments as an entire didn’t considerably scale back dementia possibility, GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1Ras) have been connected to a forty five% decrease possibility of dementia.
The findings supply the most important insights into the possibility of diabetes drugs to persuade long-term mind well being.
Professional Reactions and Importance
Dr Catriona Reddin, senior creator, researcher on the College of Galway and Registrar in Geriatric Medication at HSE West North West, stated: “This analysis represents a vital contribution to our working out of ways some diabetes drugs might impression mind well being. Diabetes is a recognized possibility issue for dementia, however whether or not glucose-lowering treatments can lend a hand save you cognitive decline has remained unclear. Our findings recommend that GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly, can have a protecting impact on mind well being.”
Professor Martin O’Donnell, Dean of the School of Medication, Nursing and Well being Sciences on the College of Galway and Advisor Stroke Doctor with HSE West North-West stated: “Given the expanding occurrence of each diabetes and dementia, findings from this learn about have essential public well being implications for prevention of dementia.
“What makes this learn about specifically thrilling for the School of Medication, Nursing, and Well being Sciences at College of Galway, is that it used to be led via two of our undergraduate medication scholars. We position a robust emphasis on analysis as a core element of our undergraduate medication program, making sure that scholars have alternatives to interact in high-impact research that form international healthcare.”
Allie Seminer, a third-year pupil from New York and co-lead creator, stated: “Being concerned with a learn about of this scale as an undergraduate has been an unbelievable revel in. What stood out for me used to be the sense of duty – realizing that our paintings may just lend a hand form working out of an international well being factor. It used to be extremely motivating to be a part of a workforce operating at this stage, and it has proven me how analysis is an crucial a part of turning into a well-rounded physician. It highlights how analysis isn’t just an add-on to our level however an crucial a part of how we learn how to advance clinical wisdom.”
Alfredi Mulihano, a third-year pupil from Dundalk and co-lead creator, stated: “Being a part of this learn about has utterly modified how I see my position as a long run physician. It introduced in combination scientific perception, information evaluation, and significant pondering in some way that lectures by myself can not. The revel in opened my eyes to the impression we will have past the bedside – contributing to wisdom that might exchange how sicknesses like dementia are avoided.”
Reference: “Cardioprotective Glucose-Reducing Brokers and Dementia Possibility: A Systematic Assessment and Meta-Research” via Allie Seminer, Alfredi Mulihano, Clare O’Brien, Finn Krewer, Maria Costello, Conor Pass judgement on, Martin O’Donnell and Catriona Reddin, 7 April 2025, JAMA Neurology.
DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.0360