Listen to Story A compound called semaglutide is a widely used for type 2 diabetes and even weight loss. However, a new study has found that this compound can also help in lowering the risk of Alzheimer's disease, the world's fastest growing neurological disorder. The study from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine suggested that semaglutide could lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease, specifically in people who have type 2 diabetes.
The research compared semaglutide to seven other anti-diabetic drugs and found a significantly reduced risk of Alzheimer's in those taking it. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory and thinking. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, which claims more lives annually than breast and prostate cancer combined, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The study, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia , analyzed data from nearly one million US patients with type 2 diabetes over three years. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory and thinking. (Photo: Getty Images) Led by Professor Rong Xu, the researchers used statistical methods to simulate the effects of a clinical trial.
They found that those taking semaglutide had a notably lower chance of developing Alzheimer's compared to patients on other diabetes medications, including drugs that target similar pathways. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic , helps regulate blood sugar .
