Recently, however, researchers have begun exploring another potential effect—whether these medications could influence brain health and memory.
Understanding the Diabetes–Dementia Connection
According to global data, over 55 million people currently live with dementia, and that number is expected to double every 20 years. Among the modifiable risk factors, type II diabetes has emerged as one of the most significant.
The Lancet Commission further reinforced this by estimating that removing this risk factor could reduce dementia cases by about 2%.
People who develop diabetes in midlife are almost three times more likely to develop dementia later in life.
This may be linked to insulin resistance in the brain, which can disrupt how brain cells communicate, increase inflammation, and accelerate neuron loss—all processes associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
What Scientists Are Investigating
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists like semaglutide are designed to help regulate blood sugar by enhancing insulin function.
Interestingly, GLP-1 receptors are also found in the brain, where they play a role in supporting neuron growth, reducing inflammation, and improving communication between brain cells.
In animal studies, GLP-1 drugs have shown potential to reduce amyloid plaque buildup (a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease) and improve memory-related processes.
Early Human Evidence
Preliminary human research, including small-scale studies with liraglutide (a GLP-1 drug), has reported improved brain connectivity and better performance on cognitive tests in people with diabetes.
In some large-scale diabetes trials like the Eli-Lilly funded study and the Novo-Nordisk funded trial, participants taking GLP-1 drugs appeared to have a lower risk (around 11–12%) of developing dementia or mild cognitive impairment compared to those on other medications.
However, these findings are still early and largely observational.
More targeted, long-term clinical studies are needed before drawing conclusions about the role of GLP-1 drugs in brain health.
A Developing Field, not a Recommendation
While these results are promising, experts caution against interpreting them as proof that Ozempic or any GLP-1 drug prevents dementia.
Current research mainly focuses on people with metabolic conditions like diabetes or obesity, and outcomes can vary widely.
Potential side effects such as muscle loss and appetite changes also mean these medications are not suitable for everyone, and their use should remain strictly under medical supervision.
The Broader Perspective
The growing interest in GLP-1 drugs highlights a larger theme: the connection between metabolic and cognitive health. Managing conditions like diabetes may not only protect the heart and body but also have indirect benefits for the brain.
For now, the best evidence still supports a holistic approach—maintaining a balanced diet, staying physically active, managing blood sugar, and monitoring cardiovascular risk factors as the foundation for lifelong brain health.
References:
- The unexpected ways Ozempic-like drugs might fight dementia | National Geographic
- Risk factors for dementia
- Liraglutide improves memory in obese patients with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes: a randomized, controlled study – PubMed
- Neural correlates of liraglutide effects in persons at risk for Alzheimer’s disease – PubMed
- Effect of dulaglutide on cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes: an exploratory analysis of the REWIND trial – PubMed
- Treatment with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists and incidence of dementia: Data from pooled double‐blind randomized controlled trials and nationwide disease and prescription registers – Nørgaard – 2022 – Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions – Wiley Online Library
