Ozempic’s Active Ingredient May Significantly Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

A recent study published on October 24 has found that semaglutide, the active ingredient in medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, may significantly reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The research, conducted by scientists from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, analyzed three years of electronic health records from nearly 1 million patients with Type 2 diabetes, including those prescribed semaglutide.

The study revealed that semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1), was associated with a 70% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to insulin and a 40% lower risk compared to other GLP-1 medications. Women in the study experienced an even greater reduction in risk, with an 80% lower risk compared to men, although this may be influenced by factors such as younger age, higher rates of obesity and depression, and lower rates of heart disease.

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide are known for their role in managing Type 2 diabetes and obesity by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which helps produce insulin and signals fullness. The study suggests that these medications may also have neuroprotective effects, mitigating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, which are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

While the findings are promising, researchers emphasize that more studies are needed to understand the exact mechanisms behind semaglutide’s potential protective effects against Alzheimer’s. The study’s lead author, Rong Xu, noted that the association found does not prove causality, and further research is necessary to confirm whether semaglutide can treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, is planning to conduct additional clinical trials to further investigate the potential benefits of semaglutide for patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s. These trials could provide crucial insights into whether semaglutide can serve as a preventive treatment for Alzheimer’s, a condition for which there is currently no definitive cure.