Novo’s GLP-1 Liraglutide May Protect Brain from Alzheimer’s, New Study Finds

1. Study Results: A mid-stage clinical trial found that liraglutide, a GLP-1 drug produced by Novo Nordisk, may slow cognitive decline in individuals with mild Alzheimer's disease by up to 18% over one year compared to a placebo.
2. Brain Protection: The study showed that liraglutide reduced the shrinkage of brain regions responsible for memory, learning, language, and decision-making by nearly 50% compared to the placebo.
3. Mechanisms: Researchers believe that liraglutide works through multiple mechanisms, including reducing inflammation, enhancing communication between nerve cells, decreasing insulin resistance, and mitigating the effects of amyloid plaques and tau proteins associated with Alzheimer's.
4. Future Trials: Novo Nordisk is conducting two phase 3 clinical studies comparing semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) to a placebo in over 3,000 patients with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease, with results expected by 2025.
5. Existing Treatments: Current Alzheimer's treatments, such as Leqembi and Lecanemab, focus on removing amyloid plaques from the brain, whereas GLP-1 drugs like liraglutide may offer a different approach by targeting multiple pathological factors.