Ozempic's Impact On Brain Chemistry May Influence Depression Risk: Study
Researchers have discovered a possible connection between popular weight loss medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, and brain changes that may lead to depression. These medications, known as GLP-1 drugs, mimic a natural hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite. However, studies suggest they may also affect parts of the brain related to dopamine, a chemical linked to feelings of pleasure and reward.
According to the research that was published in the journal Current Neuropharmacology, GLP-1 drugs may disrupt dopamine levels, potentially leading to depression and suicidal thoughts in individuals with low dopamine function. While these medications show promise in treating obesity and diabetes, further investigation is needed to understand their potential impact on mental health.
As per a news release, the study, led by researchers across the United States, Brazil, Iran, and Israel, demonstrates that while GLP1 agonists benefit individuals with hyperdopaminergia (excess dopamine activity), they may have harmful effects on individuals with hypodopaminergia (low dopamine function). The authors found genetic associations between GLP1 receptor agonists and genes such as DRD3, BDNF, and CREB1, which are implicated in mood regulation and reward pathways. Their findings suggest that chronic use of these drugs could dysregulate dopamine signalling, potentially leading to depressive symptoms, mood disturbances, and SI.
Cautionary Voices from Experts
While the idea of GLP-1 agonism induction of depression and SI is controversial with both negative and positive reporting, based on the evidence presented in this article by Alireza Sharafshah, a PhD candidate from the Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran, the authors caution against promoting chronic stimulation via GLP-1 agonists.
"This study should not be ignored, despite the hype surrounding the positive clinical outcomes of GLP-1 receptor agonists," said senior author Dr Kenneth Blum, research professor at Western University Health Sciences and Ariel University. "We urge the clinical prescribing community to proceed with caution to avoid another tragic wave of 'people dying to lose weight'."
Dr Mark S Gold, an addiction psychiatry pioneer and co-author, emphasised, "The paper provides critical evidence for re-evaluating the widespread use of GLP1 receptor agonists. The FDA and other regulatory agencies should carefully consider our findings when it comes to labelling and monitoring these drugs."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Palladam poultry units seek upgrade of facilities at lab in Panickampatti
Poultry units in and around Palladam are in anticipation of upgrade of facilities at Poultry Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (PDDL) of the Animal Husbandry Department at Panickampatti near Palladam, established about six years ago to carry out testing of feed and water samples. Out of ₹6.92 crore sanctioned for the PDDL, ₹4.24 crore was for the Poultry Disease Diagnosis Laboratory and ₹2.56 crore for establishing a laboratory for poultry feed testing, it is learnt. The PDDL was sanctioned with BSL (Bio-safety level) II and GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) system under the National Agricultural Development Programme. It was established with the intent of carrying out diagnosis of poultry diseases through conduct of post-mortem, testing of droppings, blood samples and other specimens for major diseases, including viral diseases such as New Castle Disease, Infectious Bursal Disease, Infectious Bronchitis, Avian Leucosis Complex, and common bacterial diseases like Salmonella, and parasitic infestations.. The collective request of the hundreds of poultry units for upgrade of the PDDL in Palladam was made known to Minister for Information and Publicity M.P. Saminathan, District Collector T. Christuraj and senior officials of the Animal Husbandry Department when they carried out an inspection of the facilities at the PDDL on Thursday. The poultry units, in particular, laid emphasis on establishment of incinerator to dispose of dead chicken, and adequacy of manpower and machinery at the PDDL. The PDDLs carry out sero monitoring and surveillance for poultry diseases, covering both commercial and back yard poultry farms. Strict vigil over mortality and transport of poultry in view of preparedness for avian influenza is one of the major responsibilities of these laboratories, sources in Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University said. At present, the poultry units continue to depend on the PDDL at Namakkal for these tests. Once the PDDL at Palladam is upgraded with the required manpower and machinery, it will be equipped to test serum samples as preliminary screening for antibodies against avian influenza and forward the positive samples to referral laboratories for further confirmation. As per the 2019th census of the Animal Husbandry Department in Tiruppur region, poultry strength in the farm of backyard poultry was 10,97,579 and that of farm poultry 149,84,700. Tiruppur district is in the forefront in rearing of broiler birds under contract farming mainly in Palladam and Gudimangalam blocks, and Palladam has come to be known as a poultry hub with over 4,000 hatcheries and more than 50 broiler farms.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
OneSource eyes weight-loss drug boost to order book
Indian contract drug manufacturer OneSource Specialty Pharma expects strong growth in its order book over the next three years, driven by the global boom in weight-loss drugs, its top executive said on Monday. Global drugmakers, including generic drug manufacturers in India, are racing to develop their versions of blockbuster injectable obesity drugs from Denmark's Novo Nordisk and U.S.-based Eli Lilly. The active chemical compound in Novo's injectable Wegovy drug, semaglutide, will go off patent in 2026 in a few markets, including India. OneSource, which added 15 orders related to obesity and diabetes drugs in fiscal year 2025, said there are more in the pipeline. The global obesity market is estimated to be valued at $150 billion by the early 2030s. The company develops and manufactures complex biological drugs, vials, injectables, and soft gelatin capsules for larger pharmaceutical firms. "Our growth over the next few years will be driven by commercial launches of GLP-1s (weight-loss and diabetes drugs) by our global customers in all the key markets opening post patent expiry in 2026," CEO Neeraj Sharma told Reuters in an interview. Backed by increasing demand from weight-loss drug manufacturers, OneSource's order book across all service verticals should expand in line with 30% compound annual growth rate through fiscal year 2028, according to the CEO. OneSource, which competes with larger players such as Piramal Pharma and Divi's in contract research, development and manufacturing, is investing about $100 million to expand its drug device facilities, the CEO said. The company, which was demerged from Strides Pharma Science and listed in January, is also looking at setting up a global footprint in manufacturing, both in Europe and the U.S. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
James Webb Space Telescope reveals first exoplanet with 'sand rain' and a growing 'sandcastle' companion, redefining planetary evolution
Source: NASA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered something incredible. A far-off planetary system with gas giants that are packed with coarse silica, which is a space sand. The YSES-1 system , which surrounds a young star 300 light-years from Earth, consists of two planets, YSES-1 b and YSES-1 c, both of which have atmospheric sand clouds. The system is a mere 16.7 million years old, an infant in cosmic age that presents scientists with the unusual chance to watch planet formation and development unfold in real-time. These results may redefine the knowledge of the formation and evolution of planets, including those within our own solar system, over billions of years. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope detects 'sand clouds' made of silicates According to the study, silicate clouds, or sand clouds, consist of mineral grains such as pyroxene and forsterite, iron-containing compounds found in rocky planets and meteorites. They are more than a novelty in the atmospheres of exoplanets; they contain important clues about the chemistry and atmosphere of far-off worlds. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo According to Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) scientist Valentina D'Orazi, the silicates seen in these planets go through sublimation and condensation cycles just like water on Earth. These active cycles help the sand clouds stay suspended in the air, indicating sophisticated atmospheric transport and formation processes. JWST reveals silicates in both exoplanet atmospheres and formation disks Of the two gas giants, YSES-1 b is a still-growing planet that could someday be a large Jupiter analogue. It is encircled by a flattened cloud of material, a circumplanetary disk; a phenomenon common around young planet. The disk holds the planet-building blocks of its atmosphere, silicates, which fuel its growth. YSES-1 c, however, is already enormous, around 14 times as massive as Jupiter. Its atmosphere has a reddish color due to suspended silica, which sometimes rains down as sandy rain to the planet's center. This is the first direct detection of silicates not only in an exoplanet atmosphere but also in a circumplanetary disk. That makes this observation historic and also pivotal to the study of planetary science. How JWST made the discovery possible The James Webb Space Telescope was able to image these subtle details due to the extended orbits of the planets around their parent star. These were distances ranging from five to ten times the distance between the Sun and Neptune, and they enabled astronomers to view the planets without the blinding light of the star. With its sophisticated infrared equipment, JWST gathered high-resolution spectral information that, on analysis, showed the presence of silicate particles and their composition. Although such direct observation remains possible only for a few exoplanets at this time, it highlights JWST's unparalleled capability to observe in detail the atmospheres and environments of other worlds. JWST insights reveal how Jupiter and Saturn may have taken shape One of the most intriguing things about this discovery is what it implies about the early history of our own solar system. By looking at young exoplanets such as YSES-1 b and c, astronomers can deduce how gas giants such as Jupiter and Saturn might have formed and developed. "Examining these planets is like peeking into the history of our own planetary back yard," D'Orazi explained. "It confirms that young exoplanet atmospheres and the disks around them are key drivers of their final atmosphere composition." The researchers also highlighted the need for detailed atmospheric models to interpret the JWST's excellent data pointing to the telescope's continued role in pushing the frontiers of planetary science and exoplanet study. These historic findings were released on June 10 in the journal Nature and highlighted the same day during the 246th American Astronomical Society meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. Also Read | Shubhanshu Shukla to take tardigrades on ISS mission; what are they and why scientists are fascinated by eight-legged 'water bears'
