Drug maker Novo Nordisk, external says semaglutide, the active ingredient for the weight loss jab Wegovy, does not slow Alzheimer’s – despite initial hopes that it might help against dementia.
Researchers began two large trials involving more than 3,800 people after reports the medicine was having an impact in the real world.
But the studies showed the GLP-1 drug, which is already used to manage type 2 diabetes and obesity, made no difference compared to a dummy drug.
sciolisticism on
Disappointing, but I’m glad to see this kind of followup. It can’t be a true panacea.
H0vis on
On the plus side at least a lot of us chunkier folks will live to be old enough to lose our marbles now. Maybe we’ll be around long enough for them to figure out the brain thing.
Notoriouslydishonest on
It might not slow Alzheimers, but given the risk factors for dementia (obesity, cardiovascular, smoking, diabetes etc) I’d be very surprised if it didn’t help prevent it.
Solonotix on
I opened this post with interest, as someone who is on semaglutide. I then saw every single comment had already been upvoted by me, so I assumed this was an old post. I then saw it was posted 23 minutes ago.
Suffice to say, I am concerned 👀
Yossarian_nz on
It’s important to note that this trial was an intervention for those already with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed Alzheimer’s. This is kind of in line with the failures to treat from the monoclonal antibody treatments for amyloid beta. It’s becoming increasingly likely that once Alzheimer’s gets going there’s a feedback cycle (probably involving acrivated microglia and reactive astrocytes) that won’t stop if you alter or prevent the overt pathology (abeta plaques, tau tangles).
I’d be more interested in a cohort-based randomized controlled study that’s matched on demographics and then to see if there’s a difference in incidence between the groups. That kind of study is long-term (30+ years), expensive, and ethically problematic in some ways, so is likely some way off, if it’s done at all.
TL/DR: This isn’t proof that GLP-1 agonists don’t work for Alzheimer’s, but is proof that they don’t change the progression in individuals with it.
BigMax on
I wonder if it was other effects that made it feel like it helped?
If you are 100 pounds overweight and have early stage alzheimers… then getting healthier, lighter, more energetic might seem like it’s helping your mind too, right? You’re not as tired, and the brainpower you do have can focus easier. Not because you’re fixing the alzheimers, but because you’re just a generally healthier person.
NESpahtenJosh on
That’s probably because it’s an obesity drug, not an Alzheimer’s drug.
9 Comments
Drug maker Novo Nordisk, external says semaglutide, the active ingredient for the weight loss jab Wegovy, does not slow Alzheimer’s – despite initial hopes that it might help against dementia.
Researchers began two large trials involving more than 3,800 people after reports the medicine was having an impact in the real world.
But the studies showed the GLP-1 drug, which is already used to manage type 2 diabetes and obesity, made no difference compared to a dummy drug.
Disappointing, but I’m glad to see this kind of followup. It can’t be a true panacea.
On the plus side at least a lot of us chunkier folks will live to be old enough to lose our marbles now. Maybe we’ll be around long enough for them to figure out the brain thing.
It might not slow Alzheimers, but given the risk factors for dementia (obesity, cardiovascular, smoking, diabetes etc) I’d be very surprised if it didn’t help prevent it.
I opened this post with interest, as someone who is on semaglutide. I then saw every single comment had already been upvoted by me, so I assumed this was an old post. I then saw it was posted 23 minutes ago.
Suffice to say, I am concerned 👀
It’s important to note that this trial was an intervention for those already with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed Alzheimer’s. This is kind of in line with the failures to treat from the monoclonal antibody treatments for amyloid beta. It’s becoming increasingly likely that once Alzheimer’s gets going there’s a feedback cycle (probably involving acrivated microglia and reactive astrocytes) that won’t stop if you alter or prevent the overt pathology (abeta plaques, tau tangles).
I’d be more interested in a cohort-based randomized controlled study that’s matched on demographics and then to see if there’s a difference in incidence between the groups. That kind of study is long-term (30+ years), expensive, and ethically problematic in some ways, so is likely some way off, if it’s done at all.
TL/DR: This isn’t proof that GLP-1 agonists don’t work for Alzheimer’s, but is proof that they don’t change the progression in individuals with it.
I wonder if it was other effects that made it feel like it helped?
If you are 100 pounds overweight and have early stage alzheimers… then getting healthier, lighter, more energetic might seem like it’s helping your mind too, right? You’re not as tired, and the brainpower you do have can focus easier. Not because you’re fixing the alzheimers, but because you’re just a generally healthier person.
That’s probably because it’s an obesity drug, not an Alzheimer’s drug.
The Shingles vaccine on the other hand…
[Shingles Vaccine Lowers Dementia Risk](https://www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions/a69018628/shingles-vaccine-lower-dementia-risk-study/)