The University of Cincinnati's Alberto Espay, MD, commented to NBC News on new research published Oct. 24 that found semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, appeared to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in people with Type 2 diabetes.
The new study compared semaglutide to seven other diabetes drugs, including metformin, insulin and older GLP-1 drugs, including liraglutide.
Researchers found that patients prescribed semaglutide had a significantly lower risk for Alzheimer's disease than those who had taken one of the seven other diabetes drugs. The results were consistent across gender, age and weight.
Espay, who was not involved in the study, told NBC News more research is needed to determine if the drugs actually work against Alzheimer's. He noted previous early research showed similar positive effects for people who took drugs including statins or insulin, but none of those potential treatments panned out.
"Just as with statins, NSAIDs and insulin, we should be cautious about claiming semaglutide can treat or prevent Alzheimer's based on this study alone," Espay said.
Featured photo at top of a semaglutide injection pen. Photo/aprott/iStock.
