Newer diabetes drugs linked to reduced risk of Alzheimer's and dementia

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-04-08 01:00

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Newer classes of diabetes drugs that lower blood glucose, including drugs such as Ozempic, have been linked to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in two studies by US and Irish scientists. One study looked at Alzheimer's diagnoses in patients taking the class of drugs that includes Ozempic, the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), in those taking another class of glucose-lowering drugs known as SGLT2is, and in those who took other glucose-lowering drugs. They found that patients taking the newer GLP-1RAs and the SGLT2is, had lower rates of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. A second study, which pooled together the results of previous clinical trials, found that GLP1-RAs, but not SGLT2is, were associated with a reduction in dementia or cognitive impairment.

Media release

From: JAMA

Paper 1 - GLP-1RA and SGLT2i Medications for Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias

JAMA Neurology

About The Study: In people with type 2 diabetes, both glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) were statistically significantly associated with decreased risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementias compared with other glucose-lowering drugs, and no difference was observed between both drugs.

(doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.0353)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Paper 2 - Cardioprotective Glucose-Lowering Agents and Dementia Risk

JAMA Neurology

About The Study: While cardioprotective glucose-lowering therapies were not associated with an overall reduction in all-cause dementia, this meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that glucose lowering with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) was associated with a statistically significant reduction in all-cause dementia.

(doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.0360)

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Research JAMA, Web page Paper 1 - Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

Research JAMA, Web page Paper 2 - Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

Editorial / Opinion JAMA, Web page Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

Journal/
conference: JAMA Neurology

Research: Link to Paper 1 | Paper 2

Organisation/s: University of Florida, USA, University of Galway, Ireland

Funder: Paper1 - The PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship (2023PDVH1064032), American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE) Predoctoral Fellowship, NIH/National Institute on Aging (R01AG076234), and NIH/ National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK133465) funded this study. Paper2 - Dr Krewer reported receiving grants from the Health Research Board (HRB; SDAP2023.036) outside the submitted work. Dr Reddin reported receiving grants from the Irish Clinical Academic Training Programme, Wellcome Trust, HRB (203930/B/16/ Z), Health Service Executive, National Doctors Training and Planning, and Health and Social Care, Research and Development Division, Northern Ireland outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported

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