New Diabetes Drug Promises to Keep Your Brain Sharp—Just in Case You Forget Why You’re On It!

In a plot twist worthy of a medical soap opera, semaglutide—the celebrity ingredient found in the weight-loss wonder drugs Ozempic and Wegovy—has reportedly been moonlighting as a brain protector, showing promise in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s for Type 2 diabetes patients. That’s right, folks! Not only can it help you shed some pounds, but it may also be your ticket to remembering where you left those pounds once you’re done!

This not-so-surprising revelation dropped in the esteemed journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, confirming what many already suspected: if you’re going to be poked and prodded for your diabetes, you might as well come out with some side benefits. GLP-1 drugs, the illustrious family that includes our stars Mounjaro and Zepbound, may just be the unlikely Avengers in the fight against cognitive decline.

Earlier this summer, while we were all preoccupied with barbecues and beach days, another study unveiled that liraglutide—a cousin of semaglutide—helps slow cognitive decline in those dealing with the mildest cases of Alzheimer’s (the kind no one wants to admit to having). Meanwhile, in August, scientists crowed about semaglutide’s apparent ability to cut the risk of dementia in Type 2 diabetes patients, making it the Swiss Army knife of medications! Go ahead; collect your triangle of health benefits.

Novo Nordisk, the brainchild behind these magic meds, is now strutting its stuff with two phase 3 clinical trials involving over 3,000 patients with mild cognitive hiccups or early-stage Alzheimer’s. Results are expected to drop next year, promising to send everyone into a frenzy over whether this drug can pull off the ultimate healthcare hat trick.

Dr. Stephen Salloway, a professor of neurology and our optimistic health Oracle, declared that if semaglutide proves its mettle, it’ll be a “game changer” in a world that’s still searching for any semblance of a cure. Because why not? Let’s throw a psychological curveball into the cocktail of treatments we already muddle around with.

But wait, how did our star semaglutide really perform?

In a heady face-off, semaglutide went head-to-head with seven other diabetes drugs, including the familiar metformin and insulin, resulting in quite the spectacle. Researchers sipped their coffee and flipped through three years’ worth of medical records of about a million patients over 60 who were just starting this diabetes drug game. Each participant had their own unique collection of underlying conditions—kind of like having a medical Monopoly token for every ailment imaginable.

The results? Patients on semaglutide enjoyed a considerably lower risk of Alzheimer’s compared to their peers on less glam medications. Particularly juicy was the revelation that those relying on that good ol’ insulin saw a 70% uptick in their chances of mixing memories with forgotten car keys, courtesy of the comparative magic of semaglutide. Ouch!

Rong Xu, the senior author and head of fancy artificial intelligence things at Case Western Reserve University, was pleasantly shocked at these findings. Who would have thought that a diabetes drug might just have a flair for brain health too? “If there’s a higher dose out there, are we tapping into some brain-preserving monster?” she mused. The quest for more potent potions in the quest for clarity continues!

So, how might these GLP-1s pull off this brain-boosting magic?

Spoiler alert: there’s still no magic cure for Alzheimer’s. The FDA has approved a couple of pricey treatments — we’re talking real pocketbook busters with side effects that range from ‘meh’ to ‘please, no more!’—that barely slow down the progression. But if semaglutide proves itself in trials, it could be the preventive mythical creature we’ve all been chasing.

Novo Nordisk, donning its proud parent hat, is more than happy to see researchers risk it all by investigating the safety and efficacy of its beloved portfolio of products. Meanwhile, the scientific community is left scratching its collective head regarding how semaglutide performs its brain-saving sorcery. Maybe it’s the inflammation buffet it’s clearing out or its skills at tackling diabetes—either way, it’s certainly a multi-talented superstar!

Donna Wilcock, a neurologist and editor-in-chief of Alzheimer’s & Dementia, noted that GLP-1 drugs might improve blood vessel health like a personal trainer for your circulatory system. Unfortunately, whether they’re independently helping brain health or just playing nice with diabetes is still murky.

However, let’s not rush to put our Alzheimer’s worries on this ‘magic bullet’ just yet. Dr. Alberto Espay aptly reminded us that Alzheimer’s operates like an ensemble cast of conditions, so relying solely on one treatment might just be setting ourselves up for a tragicomedy. Statins and NSAIDs promised hope in the past, and the world is still waiting for them to deliver. So, let’s consult our literature and proceed with caution before we start charting miracle drug territory.

In short, the healthcare world is once again offering us a sequel to the saga of diabetes drugs, where the ramifications stretch far and wide. Who knows? With semaglutide, you might just find yourself remembering where you parked—or at least whether you took your nightly dose!