Weight loss jabs 'may protect against dementia and stroke', study suggests
People with type 2 diabetes and obesity who are taking the drugs are also less likely to die prematurely, researchers found.
The study examined some of the potential health benefits the drugs could offer outside of what they are known for helping with at the moment, mainly managing weight and blood sugar levels.
The study saw experts from Taiwan examine data on 60,000 people from around the world, with an average age of 58, who had type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Around half were given semaglutide and tirzepatide – which are sold under the brand names Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Semaglutide is also the main ingredient for the type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic.
The type of drugs are collectively known as GLP agonists and can reduce a person's appetite; slow down their digestion; reduce the amount of sugar the liver makes, and they help the body to make more insulin when needed.
The other half used other anti-diabetic medication.
During a seven-year follow-up period, researchers found that people given the GLP agonist drugs appeared to have a 37% lower risk of dementia and a 19% reduced risk of stroke.
They were also 30% less likely to die during the follow-up period.
And when researchers looked at the data further, they found even greater benefits in people aged 60 or older, women, and those with a body mass index score of 30 to 40.
They found no differences in Parkinson's disease or brain bleeds.
The academics said their findings suggest 'potential neuroprotective and cerebrovascular benefits' of the drugs, but they called for more studies to confirm the findings.
Commenting on the study, Professor Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh and group leader in the UK Dementia Research Institute, said the study was "very interesting" but noted "this type of study cannot determine whether the drugs reduced disease risk by directly protecting the brain.
'It is highly likely that effectively treating type 2 diabetes and obesity would reduce dementia and stroke risk as they are known risk factors for these conditions.
Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer's Society, said: 'It is well established that diabetes and obesity can increase your risk of developing dementia.
'This study supports existing evidence that shows these drugs may reduce dementia risk, particularly for people aged 60 and over who are living with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
He added: 'There are clinical trials currently looking at whether drugs like these can be used to treat early-stage Alzheimer's disease, so this is a really exciting area being explored in the research fight against dementia.'
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