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June is Alzheimer’s and Mind Consciousness Month.
Promising analysis alert!
In case you watch TV or any display in any respect, you’ve most likely heard of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, or GLP-1 medicine. The favored prescription weight-loss medicines assist handle blood sugar and cut back urge for food in individuals residing with Kind 2 diabetes and weight problems.
GLP-1 medicine have additionally been related to lowered danger for cardiovascular occasions, kidney occasions and kidney failure. Now, researchers are hoping so as to add Alzheimer’s to the record.
A latest research discovered that the GLP-1 drug semaglutide (which you will know as Ozempic and Wegovy), could sluggish the event of Alzheimer’s and even stop the situation in individuals with Kind 2 diabetes.
“That’s a serious discovering, particularly because it was based mostly on real-world well being data from over 1,000,000 individuals,” stated Babak Tousi, M.D., director of medical trials at Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Middle for Mind Well being in Cleveland, Ohio.
The research discovered individuals with Kind 2 diabetes who took semaglutide have been considerably much less doubtless — 40% to 70% — to be identified with Alzheimer’s inside three years in comparison with individuals taking different diabetes medicines, together with different GLP-1 medicine.
“It means that semaglutide could also be doing extra than simply controlling blood sugar — it could offer actual mind safety,” Tousi stated.
Learn: The Skinny on Microdosing GLP-1 Medicine >>
How semaglutide impacts mind well being
Analysis is ongoing concerning the impact of semaglutide on the mind — and most research contain animals thus far — however a rising physique of analysis exhibits that semaglutide could profit cognitive perform in individuals with diabetes and/or weight problems via improved reminiscence, studying and total psychological efficiency.
One systematic evaluate discovered that semaglutide protected the blood-brain barrier, which is liable for stopping toxins, pathogens (substances that trigger illness) and different dangerous substances from leaking into the mind.
“Semaglutide could calm mind irritation, particularly within the mind’s immune cells known as microglia, and assist shield the blood-brain barrier — which acts like a safety guard for the mind,” Tousi stated. “It additionally seems to enhance blood circulation, cut back oxidative stress — a kind of injury that builds up within the mind — and help mind cell perform. All of those elements play a job in Alzheimer’s illness.”
One other research discovered that semaglutide reversed the indicators of getting older in key mind cells that assist preserve our mind clear, protected and balanced. “Age can result in these cells performing up, inflicting irritation within the mind and confusion. Taking semaglutide helped these cells behave like they’d in youthful brains,” Tousi stated.
Take Our Quiz: How A lot Do You Know About Alzheimer’s Illness? >>
Tousi additionally famous that the research discovered semaglutide prevented the formation of a kind of astrocyte — a mind cell that turns poisonous beneath stress — that worsens irritation and damages mind tissue, a course of additionally seen in Alzheimer’s illness.
That is much like the findings of yet another research, which famous that semaglutide improved cognitive capabilities in mice by performing a number of features, considered one of which was lowering the quantity of amyloid plaques within the mind. Amyloid plaques are thought to play a job in Alzheimer’s, and this analysis means that semaglutide could not solely have a job in Alzheimer’s prevention, however may additionally enhance Alzheimer’s in individuals who have already got it.
Semaglutide for individuals in danger for Alzheimer’s
Kind 2 diabetes and weight problems are each recognized danger elements for Alzheimer’s illness. However given the latest findings in human research, semaglutide could also be useful for anybody in danger for Alzheimer’s illness.
“As a result of semaglutide seems to assist cut back irritation and shield the mind, there’s rising curiosity in whether or not it may also profit individuals with out diabetes, particularly these with early reminiscence issues or sturdy household historical past of dementia,” Tousi stated. “This might sign a future the place a typical diabetes drug performs a giant position in mind well being and even dementia prevention.”
That is particularly vital to notice for girls and folks assigned feminine at beginning (AFAB) since Alzheimer’s is extra frequent in girls than males. About 1 in 5 girls will probably be identified with Alzheimer’s illness of their lifetime in comparison with 1 in 10 males.
There’s at the moment no remedy for Alzheimer’s, so developments in remedy choices to handle and stop the illness are essential.
Promising new analysis on the horizon
There may be hope on the horizon concerning semaglutide’s position in stopping or treating Alzheimer’s illness. The outcomes of the primary large-scale human research exhibiting whether or not semaglutide can sluggish Alzheimer’s in individuals with early levels of illness — even in individuals with out Kind 2 diabetes — will probably be launched in September.
Learn: Ought to You Get a Blood Take a look at for Alzheimer’s? >>
Tousi stated the research features a sub-study the place spinal fluid is being analyzed to assist uncover how the drug works within the mind. The research might present clues about semaglutide’s actual mechanism and information future remedies.
“It’s additionally value noting Alzheimer’s impacts girls greater than males, and early knowledge hints that semaglutide’s mind advantages could also be even stronger in girls,” Tousi stated. “These trials ought to assist make clear that.”
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