A study published Monday in Nature Medicine reveals potential benefits of diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro in treating conditions such as dementia and cardiovascular diseases. However, experts caution against viewing them as miracle cures.
The research, hailed as a milestone, examined GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a hormone to regulate insulin, slow digestion, and suppress appetite. These drugs, initially developed to combat obesity and diabetes, have garnered acclaim as major medical advances, generating substantial profits for companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
The study, conducted using US veterans’ health data, compared diabetics on standard treatments with those on GLP-1 drugs. It found that GLP-1 users faced lower risks of neurocognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s, as well as cardiovascular, psychological, and respiratory issues.
While the findings affirm earlier studies and offer a broader overview of the drugs’ effects, researchers stress the need for caution. Full clinical trials are necessary to establish causal links, and the study’s focus on older diabetic men limits its generalisability.
Though the results are promising, experts emphasise that GLP-1 drugs are not a panacea. As pharmacologist Dipender Gill remarked, “No patient should rely on these drugs based solely on this study.”