Weight-loss drug may reduce Alzheimer’s risk, study reveals

Key Points

• 1Semaglutide, found in drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, was shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's in those with type 2 diabetes by 40% to 70%, according to a study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia.
• 2The study analyzed health records from over a million US patients with type 2 diabetes comparing semaglutide to seven other diabetes medications over three years.
• 3Researchers found that semaglutide reduced neuro-inflammation, stabilized blood sugar, and enhanced cellular energy, potentially protecting neurons from degeneration.
• 4The US FDA has approved treatments like Leqembi and Kisunla, which marginally slow Alzheimer's progression but have serious side effects, whereas semaglutide may prevent it.
• 5This study is particularly significant for India, which has high rates of type 2 diabetes, a factor associated with increased cognitive decline, potentially offering a preventive strategy.