During this summer of 2024, there was a study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia that weight loss medication can slow cognitive decline. Lose weight protects the brain? What was the study?
This was a study of Liraglutide, made by Novo Nordisk, which is a GLP-1 glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist. Liraglutide is known by the name brands Saxenda or Victoza. It works — like its cousins semaglutide and tirzepatide — to mimic gut hormones that help regulate hunger and blood sugar.
Study:
- This builds on a prior study done in animals, showing liraglutide reduced the amount of amyloid plaque in the brain (thought to cause Alzheimer’s disease)
- This current study looked at 200 Alzheimer’s patients, given a drug or placebo for a year, and measured cognitive function.
Findings:
- Patients on liraglutide had 18% slower decline in cognitive function in a year compared to placebo.
- Patients on liraglutide had 50% less volume loss in brain areas related to memory, language, decision making, and learning
- They postulate that these GLP-1 agonists “protect the brain like statins protect the heart.” They are not sure how. They think maybe it reduces inflammation of the brain, lowers resistance to insulin, improves how brain cells communicate, and lowers the toxic effects of proteins like amyloid, which signal Alzheimer’s.
They do not know whether more recent GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide will have the same effects.
Our thoughts?
Exciting! We are big fans of tirzepatide and semaglutide. All of the research on these medications shows their reach is beyond just weight loss. There seems to be big strides in heart health, diabetes, inflammation, and brain health.
How Can Biohackr Health Help?
- Semaglutide + Tirzepatide: We are well versed in administering and monitoring patients on these medications.
- Brain health is a focus for us. See our treatments for brain health.
- Read our blogs. We think studies on dementia prevention are exciting. A lot of them show there are things you can do, particularly when younger in your 30s, 40s, and 50s to keep you better when older.
