Ozempic, Wegovy & Mounjaro show other health benefits...

Whilst it has already been highlighted that these medications can improve our cardiovascular function (reducing blood pressure), jabs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have now been shown to also help protect against dementia and stroke...

Brain function... can Mounjaro, Wegovy & Ozempic help?

New studies are in...

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.

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.”

GLP-1 Agonists like Ozempic can help reduce certain health risks...

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.

The evidence is growing...

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. Professor Martin O'Donnell, Dean at the University of Galway, emphasised, “With both diabetes and dementia rising, these findings have major public health implications.”

This ties in with a recent study carried out by experts in Taiwan, who examined 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 – the main ingredients for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Rybelsus. 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.

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, suggesting “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 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. 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.”

It's not just about our weight or physical health... it's about our mental health too

Conclusion...

By drawing links between GLP-1s and dementia, they add weight to the argument that these drugs can benefit the brain as well as the gut.

The evidence is mounting. When researchers found that semaglutide may help curb alcohol cravings, experts suggested it was because the drug dampens the 'reward centres' of the brain. And scientists looked to similar conclusions when, mere weeks ago, a new study emerged looking at genetic causes of obesity in dogs and humans.

It's an exciting area of research – and we don't doubt that more evidence will come to light soon. When it does, we'll be sure to keep you posted.

Thanks for reading,

The AJ Hill Team