Latest news with #RongXu
New York Post
12 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic may prevent dementia: study
Memory loss might have met its match. A new study from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine suggests that GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy could lower your risk of developing dementia. That's a potential game changer for the more than 6 million Americans diagnosed each year and the 100,000 who die from the memory-robbing disease annually. The risk of developing dementia increases with age. fizkes – The research team analyzed three years of health records from 1.7 million Americans with type 2 diabetes across the US. The findings were striking: patients taking semaglutide — the key ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — had a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer's-related dementia than those on other diabetes medications. The benefit was especially strong among women and older adults. 'There is no cure or effective treatment for dementia, so this new study provides real-world evidence for its potential impact on preventing or slowing dementia development among at-high risk populations,' said Dr. Rong Xu, lead author and professor of biomedical informatics. Researchers haven't nailed down exactly what causes dementia — but they do know what raises your risk. A 2024 Lancet Commission report found that up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented by tackling key lifestyle factors like obesity, physical inactivity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, alcohol use and even hearing loss. Semaglutide may help protect against dementia by reducing inflammation in the brain. alones – Semaglutide may hit several of those targets at once. The drug not only helps with weight loss, but also improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar, protects blood vessels and reduces inflammation in the brain — all key players in dementia risk. Next up, scientists want to see if newer GLP-1 drugs like tirzepatide — the active ingredient in Zepbound and Mounjaro — can also have a protective effect against dementia. They also plan to track potential long-term side effects. 'Our results indicate that research into semaglutide's use for dementia prevention will need to be further investigated through randomized clinical trials,' Xu said. While scientists hunt for a cure, there are still ways to get ahead of dementia. The CDC recommends staying active, keeping your blood pressure in check, treating hearing loss, and cutting back on alcohol and cigarettes to help keep your brain sharp.
Gizmodo
14 hours ago
- Health
- Gizmodo
Ozempic Might Be a Dementia Buster, Too
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, might also double as a brain booster. Research out today describes a link between semaglutide use and a reduced risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University conducted the study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. They found that diabetes patients taking semaglutide have a significantly lower risk of dementia than those taking other diabetes medications. The findings should prompt further study into this connection, including clinical trials, the researchers say. How Ozempic Works—and What's Still a Mystery GLP-1 drugs were first approved to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Newer GLP-1 agents, such as semaglutide, have also proven to be substantially more effective at helping people lose weight than diet and exercise alone. Studies are also showing that the health benefits of GLP-1s can extend beyond just weight loss. Study researcher Rong Xu and her team have been looking into some of these potential added benefits. Their past studies have suggested that semaglutide can help temper cravings for nicotine or opioids, for instance. There is currently no known cure for dementia, as Xu notes. But up to half of all dementia cases might be preventable, and scientists have identified over a dozen modifiable risk factors that contribute to dementia risk, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease—all conditions that GLP-1s like semaglutide are known to address. GLP-1s also seem to generally reduce inflammation, yet another contributing factor to dementia. Given all that, 'semaglutide has emerged as a promising candidate' for a preventative treatment that can tackle multiple drivers of dementia risk, Xu told Gizmodo. The researchers had already found a link between semaglutide use and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. The team, wanting to test its hypothesis with other related dementias, analyzed the medical records of around 1.7 million patients with type 2 diabetes. Over a three-year span, they found that people on semaglutide had a noticeably lower risk (around 40% to 50% lower) of developing any Alzheimer's disease-related dementia than those taking any of seven other diabetes medications, including insulin and metformin. This pattern could be seen among men, women, younger and older patients, and in people with or without obesity. On closer inspection, however, a reduced risk associated with semaglutide was only found with vascular dementia (the second-most common form of dementia), and not with Lewy body dementia or frontotemporal dementia. 'As we and others have previously shown benefit for semaglutide and other GLP-1RA medications in [Alzheimer's disease], our results support the GLP-1 receptor as a target for dementia prevention,' they wrote in their paper. People on Ozempic Are Drinking Way Less These findings aren't definitive, however, and can only show a correlation between semaglutide and lower dementia risk. That said, there's been a lot of evidence— much of it encouraging—to warrant clinical trials to show a truly show a causal effect, the researchers say. Indeed, Novo Nordisk, the developers of Ozempic and Wegovy, are currently conducting two large-scale trials testing semaglutide for Alzheimer's (both are expected to conclude as early as this year). Xu and her team also next plan to study whether tirzepatide and other emerging, potentially more effective GLP-1 drugs can provide an even greater buffer against dementia.
Medical News Today
14 hours ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Can Ozempic help lower your risk of dementia?
There are several risk factors for dementia, including type 2 diabetes. A new study reports that semaglutide — the active ingredient in type 2 diabetes and weight loss GLP-1 medications Ozempic and Wegovy — may help lower dementia risk in people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers say semaglutide targets several dementia risk factors, in addition to being anti-inflammatory, which could explain this to Alzheimer's Disease International, as of 2020, there were over 55 million people living with dementia, with that number expected to rise to 78 million by 2030. There is currently no cure for dementia, which is an umbrella term for a group of brain disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia. Experts have identified several risk factors for dementia. Some are not changeable, such as age and genetics, while others are modifiable lifestyle a healthy diet like the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, becoming more physically active, staying socially engaged, and lowering your type 2 diabetes risk could all help prevent dementia.'Currently, there is no cure for dementia,' Rong Xu, PhD, professor of biomedical informatics and director of the Center for AI in Drug Discovery at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, told Medical News Today.'On the other hand, about 50% of dementia cases are preventable by targeting its 14 known modifiable risk factors. However, each risk factor contributes 1%-7% to the overall dementia risk. Therefore, we need prevention strategies that can simultaneously target multiple dementia risk factors,' Xu explained. Xu is the lead author of a new study which found that semaglutide — the active ingredient in type 2 diabetes and weight-loss glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist ( GLP-1) medications Ozempic and Wegovy — may help lower dementia risk in people with type 2 diabetes. The findings were published in the Journal of Alzheimer's semaglutide for dementia prevention?For this study, researchers analyzed electronic health record data from more than 1.7 million adults in the United States with type 2 participants were followed for three years to see if they developed any Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD). Types of ADRD included Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. In addition to semaglutide, scientists also looked at other type 2 diabetes medications, including insulin, metformin, and older generation GLP-1s.'Semaglutide is highly effective in simultaneously targeting several dementia risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, and appears to also be beneficial for [counteracting] smoking and alcohol drinking,' Xu said. 'In addition, semaglutide has anti-inflammatory effects, and inflammation plays a significant role in the development and progression of all-cause dementias,' she continued. 'These suggest that semaglutide could be an effective pharmacological prevention strategy for dementia in high-risk populations such as patients with type 2 diabetes.'Semaglutide use helps lower vascular dementia riskAt the study's conclusion, researchers found that participants taking semaglutide had a significantly lower risk of developing vascular dementia than those taking any other type 2 diabetes medication, including other GLP-1s.'Our findings show evidence that semaglutide treatment in patients with diabetes appears to protect from vascular dementia and other dementia, but not frontotemporal or Lewy body dementia,' Xu explained. 'In addition, this is an associational study and no causation can be drawn.''For people concerned about dementia, this information can guide informed decisions on choosing anti-diabetic medications for diabetes management while mitigating dementia development,' she added. For the next steps in this research, Xu said the team plans to examine if tirzepatide — the active ingredient in GLP-1 medications Zepbound and Mounjaro — or other emerging newer generation GLP-1s have similar or stronger effects on dementia, as well as monitoring long-term side effects.'Preclinical and clinical studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms and establish causal effects through randomized trials,' she continued.'Economic and policy analyses are needed to examine the cost-effectiveness of integrating semaglutide and other pharmacotherapy-based prevention strategies with existing behavior-based approaches, such as exercise and diet in achieving substantial benefits for preserving cognitive function and preventing dementia,' Xu might semaglutide help lower dementia risk? MNT spoke with Mir Ali, MD, a board-certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, to find out more about how semaglutide might be able to help lower a person's dementia risk. 'This class of medications are in widespread use and currently the most effective weight loss medications available,' Ali, who was not involved in the current study, explained. 'Finding all the effects of these medications may expand possible indications for these drugs and possibly increase insurance coverage.' Hypothesizing on potential mechanisms of prevention, Ali told us:'To my knowledge the exact cause of Alzheimer's dementia is unknown; obesity in general causes a chronic inflammatory process through the body and this can contribute to many medical issues. Perhaps the decrease in chronic inflammation may lead to reduction in dementia risk.' MNT also spoke to Manisha Parulekar, MD, FACP, AGSF, CMD, director of the Division of Geriatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center, and co-director of the Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, about the current who was similarly not involved in this study, commented that people with 2 diabetes have a significantly increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, and this research suggests a shared underlying mechanism or pathway.'Additionally, GLP-1 receptor agonists (like semaglutide) have shown neuroprotective effects,' Parulekar continued. 'Preclinical studies (in animals) have demonstrated that GLP-1 receptor agonists can protect neurons, reduce inflammation in the brain, and improve cognitive function.''Semaglutide also improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control, and also promotes weight loss. These improvements in metabolic health could indirectly reduce the risk of dementia. For example, better glucose control can reduce vascular damage, which is a contributing factor to vascular dementia. Weight loss can also improve cardiovascular health, which is linked to brain health.'— Manisha Parulekar, MD, FACP, AGSF, CMD'Lastly, other diabetes medications have shown potential cognitive benefits,' she added. 'Some studies have suggested that other diabetes medications, such as metformin, may also have some protective effects against cognitive decline.'
Scottish Sun
17 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Blockbuster weight loss jabs ‘significantly lower' the risk of dementia
WEIGHT loss jabs may also help ward off dementia, a new study suggests. Researchers found that semaglutide - the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy - could "significantly" slash the risk of the brain-robbing disease in people with type 2 diabetes. 1 Weight loss and antidiabetic jabs like Ozempic and Wegovy could have other health benefits Credit: Getty Study leader Professor Rong Xu said: "There is no cure or effective treatment for dementia, so this new study provides real-world evidence for its potential impact on preventing or slowing dementia development among a high risk population." Semaglutide, part of a group of drugs called GLP-1 agonists, was originally invented to treat type 2 diabetes. But trials found it could also cause major weight loss - about 10 to 15 per cent of body weight over 18 months. It triggers fullness hormones in the gut to prevent hunger and over-eating. Semaglutide has already been found to lower the risk of heart disease, bowel cancer and fertility issues. But researchers at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, now have evidence it could play a key role in preventing dementia. The syndrome occurs when brain cells are damaged and their connections stop working properly. That damage, which worsens over time, impacts memory, thinking and reasoning. It can be caused by various conditions and events, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, traumatic brain injury and stroke. Previous research has indicated that 45 per cent of dementia cases could be prevented by addressing these "modifiable risk factors". Feeling Full Naturally: Top 5 Foods That Act Like Weight Loss Jabs The new study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, analysed the electronic records of nearly 1.7million American patients with type 2 diabetes over three years. Patients taking semaglutide had a "significantly lower" risk of developing Alzheimer's disease-related dementia compared to those on seven other antidiabetic medications. This included other types of GLP-1R-targeting drugs. The results were more "profound" in women and older adults. Prof Xu said the findings support the idea that semaglutide could prevent dementia. But she cautioned that more research is needed. "Our results indicate that research into semaglutide's use for dementia prevention will need to be further investigated through randomised clinical trials," Prof Xu added.
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Blockbuster weight loss jabs ‘significantly lower' the risk of dementia
WEIGHT loss jabs may also help ward off dementia, a new study suggests. Researchers found that semaglutide - the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy - could "significantly" slash the risk of the brain-robbing disease in people with 1 Weight loss and antidiabetic jabs like Ozempic and Wegovy could have other health benefits Credit: Getty Study leader Professor Rong Xu said: "There is no cure or effective treatment for dementia, so this new study provides real-world evidence for its potential impact on preventing or slowing dementia development among a high risk population." Semaglutide, part of a group of drugs called GLP-1 agonists, was originally invented to treat But trials found it could also cause major weight loss - about 10 to 15 per cent of body weight over 18 months. It triggers fullness hormones in the gut to prevent hunger and Semaglutide has already been found to lower the risk of heart disease, bowel cancer and fertility issues. But researchers at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in The syndrome occurs when brain cells are damaged and their connections stop working properly. That damage, which worsens over time, impacts Most read in Health It can be caused by various conditions and events, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, traumatic brain injury and stroke. Previous research has indicated that 45 per cent of dementia cases could be prevented by addressing these "modifiable risk factors". Feeling Full Naturally: Top 5 Foods That Act Like Weight Loss Jabs The new study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, analysed the electronic records of nearly 1.7million American patients with type 2 diabetes over three years. Patients taking semaglutide had a "significantly lower" risk of developing Alzheimer's disease-related dementia compared to those on seven other antidiabetic medications. This included other types of GLP-1R-targeting drugs. The results were more "profound" in women and older adults. Prof Xu said the findings support the idea that semaglutide could prevent dementia. But she cautioned that more research is needed. "Our results indicate that research into semaglutide's use for dementia prevention will need to be further investigated through randomised clinical trials," Prof Xu added. Are you eligible for weight loss jabs on the NHS? By Sam Blanchard, Health Correspondent THEY are arguably the biggest medical breakthrough of recent times. And now, so-called 'fat jabs' are available to many more Brits on the NHS. In what marks the dawn of a new era, GPs have begun prescribing the weight loss jab More than three million people are thought to be eligible for tirzepatide - the active drug in Mounjaro - the strongest jab on the market. Health chiefs hope it will turn the tide on England's obesity crisis which has Injections including Ozempic and Wegovy have previously only been available for type 2 diabetes or through specialist slimming clinics. Family doctors will now be encouraged to prescribe them in a bid to get more people on the meds. Experts hope widespread use will slash work sick days and boost the economy, while reducing rates of cancer, heart disease and dementia. But demand for the drugs is already huge and NHS clinics cannot dish them out fast enough. Who is eligible in the new rollout? The new rollout allows GPs to prescribe tirzepatide for weight loss, starting with those patients whose weight places them at greatest health risk. Top of the list will be those with a A BMI of 40 is roughly equal to weighing 16st (102kg) for an average height 5'3' woman, or 19st 6lbs (123kg) for an average 5'9' man. Weight-related conditions include Patients will likely be expected to have tried diet and exercise first before being offered a jab. Many are likely to miss out, as some 13.5million adults in England are obese but only 3.4million are estimated to be eligible in the rollout. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'Currently only patients who meet certain criteria - those who could benefit most - are eligible to be prescribed weight loss drugs on the NHS, and GPs will also need to follow local guidelines when prescribing. 'If your practice advises you that they won't be able to provide weight loss medication, these will likely be the reasons why. 'We appreciate the idea of weight loss medication is an attractive prospect to many patients - and they do have a lot of potential benefits for patients and may be a valuable tool as we try to tackle obesity at a national level – but it's important these medications aren't seen as a silver bullet. 'Weight loss drugs do not come without risk, they can cause side effects which range in seriousness, and they won't be suitable for everyone. 'It's important we don't lose sight of the role lifestyle factors play in achieving a healthy weight. 'The roll out of weight loss medications as a treatment for obesity must not come at the expense of other weight loss services.' If you are eligible but your GP denies you a prescription, you may be able to ask for a referral to specialist weight management services. Known as tier 2 and tier 3 weight management services, they may prescribe the jabs after other weight loss attempts. Many people are expected to find it easier to go private, with the injections widely available from high street pharmacies like Boots, Superdrug, and even Asda. There are also numerous online pharmacies offering the drugs. Buying the drugs online might seem like the faster fix – but buyer beware. Slimming success stories are everywhere but so, too, are tales of horror. Many patients have been duped by dodgy sellers, suffered severe Bargain prices, easy tick-box applications, or prescriptions with no follow-up, should all be red flags to online shoppers.
