Latest news with #CatrionaReddin
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ozempic and Wegovy may cut dementia risk by 45% and manage diabetes, study finds
Source: Reuters A groundbreaking study has revealed that GLP-1 receptor agonists—including popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro- may significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia. The analysis, conducted by Irish researchers and published in JAMA Neurology , involved data from over 164,000 participants and found that these medications reduced the risk of memory-robbing disorders by up to 45 per cent. These findings not only open new avenues for neurological protection but also position GLP-1 drugs as powerful tools in both metabolic and cognitive health management. Study links GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro to lower dementia risk Researchers from the University of Galway reviewed 26 clinical trials involving 164,531 individuals—65% of whom were men, with an average age of 64. The participants were followed for an average of 31 months. The key discovery: patients taking GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) were 45% less likely to develop dementia compared to those on other glucose-lowering medications. Dr. Catriona Reddin, senior study author, said, 'Our findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists, in particular, may have a protective effect on brain health.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo How GLP-1 agonists may protect against dementia Although the exact mechanism remains under investigation, researchers propose several pathways through which GLP-1 medications could shield the brain: Reduced neuroinflammation: These drugs may lower inflammation in the brain, which is known to damage neurons and trigger dementia symptoms. Decrease in amyloid and tau proteins: GLP-1 agonists could suppress the accumulation of toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. Improved blood vessel health: They may reduce blood pressure and enhance blood flow, preventing vascular dementia. Neurogenesis stimulation: Early research suggests these drugs may promote neural growth in the hippocampus, the brain region essential for memory. GLP-1 drugs may help prevent both diabetes and dementia The new study aligns with earlier research from the University of Florida, which followed 400,000 Americans and reported a 33% lower risk of dementia among GLP-1 users compared to other treatments. This growing body of evidence supports the role of semaglutide and tirzepatide not only in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity but potentially in preventing cognitive decline. Professor Martin O'Donnell, Dean at the University of Galway, emphasised, 'With both diabetes and dementia rising, these findings have major public health implications.' Dementia and diabetes: Twin epidemics in the US The study arrives amid alarming trends: Over 8 million Americans currently live with dementia, with 500,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Diabetes now affects 38 million people in the US; around 12% of the population. According to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's rates have climbed 25 consecutive years. The intersection of these two epidemics highlights the urgency of therapies that can address both conditions simultaneously. Study highlights need for more GLP-1 brain health data While the findings are promising, researchers caution that more work is needed to confirm the results. Notable limitations include: Lack of data on dementia subtypes like Lewy body and vascular dementia Differences in study design and follow-up durations Unclear long-term cognitive outcomes for different age groups and genders Still, this analysis lays essential groundwork for future research into neurometabolic protection via GLP-1 therapies. Originally celebrated as breakthrough treatments for obesity and diabetes, these medications may now be poised to take on an even broader role in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. As Dr. Reddin concluded, 'This research marks a significant advancement in how we understand the brain benefits of diabetes medications.' This article is based on findings from a study published in JAMA Neurology (July 2024). While the research links GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro to reduce dementia risk, it is observational and does not prove direct causation. Further studies are needed. Always consult a healthcare provider before making medication decisions. Also Read | 5 coffee routine habits that could be doing more harm than good, say experts
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Ozempic found to slash risk of disease affecting 6.7m Americans each year
Blockbuster weight loss drugs could slash the risk of developing memory-robbing dementia, a major study suggests. Researchers in Ireland analyzed clinical trials of nearly 165,000 taking drugs to lower their glucose (blood sugar) and treat diabetes. The team found most glucose-lowering treatments had no significant impact on dementia risk. However, people taking GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy were 45 percent less likely to develop dementia at some point in their lives than people on other drugs. While it's unclear exactly how the active ingredients in these drugs - most often semaglutide and tirzepatide - reduce the likelihood of dementia, the researchers believe they may lower inflammation in the brain. Neuroinflammation is thought to damage neurons and disrupt communications to part of the brain responsible for memory, triggering dementia symptoms. GLP-1 agonists may also reduce toxic amyloid and tau proteins, hallmarks of dementia. The team suspects GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic may help prevent both diabetes and dementia, both of which are on the rise in the US. Dr Catriona Reddin, senior study author and researcher at the University of Galway, said: 'This research represents a significant contribution to our understanding of how some diabetes medications may impact brain health. 'Diabetes is a known risk factor for dementia, but whether glucose-lowering therapies can help prevent cognitive decline has remained unclear. 'Our findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists, in particular, may have a protective effect on brain health.' The study comes after a similar experiment from the University of Florida, which tracked 400,000 Americans on glucose-lowering drugs and found dementia risk was 33 percent lower for GLP-1 users compared to other interventions. Around 8million adults in the US have some form of dementia, and 500,000 are diagnosed every year. Meanwhile, one in eight US adults has reported taking Ozempic or similar medications at least once for diabetes or weight loss. In the new study, published in JAMA Neurology, researchers identified 26 studies that explored the relationship between GLP-1 agonist use and dementia. These included a total of 164,531 participants, most of whom (65 percent) were men. The average age was 64 with a follow-up time of 31 months. Studies included in the analysis were published between 2015 and 2024. Of the 26 in the review, 10 looked at the impact of GLP-1 agonists. The team suspected GLP-1 agonists may lower inflammation, which is a major driver of dementia. It's thought to activate the immune cells microglia and astrocytes in the brain, which damage neurons and disrupt the blood-brain barrier, the brain's protective layer. GLP-1 agonists have also been shown to lower blood pressure and protect blood vessels, reducing the risk of vascular dementia. A study published in April also found GLP-1s may stimulate neural growth in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for learning and memory formation. However, this research is early. Professor Martin O'Donnell, Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway: 'Given the increasing prevalence of both diabetes and dementia, findings from this study have important public health implications for prevention of dementia.' Recent reports from the Alzheimer's Association report rates of Alzheimer's disease - the most common form of dementia - have risen 25 years in a row in the US. Diabetes, meanwhile, affects 12 percent of Americans - 38million. Reports published in 2022 suggest rates in the Americas have tripled in the last 30 years. There were several limitations to the new study, mainly including a lack of data on subtypes of dementia like vascular and Lewy body dementia.
