Weight loss injections may cut dementia and stroke risk in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity, according to new global research.
People taking the drugs were also 30 per cent less likely to die during the follow-up period.
Known as GLP agonist drugs, they help regulate blood sugar and appetite by slowing digestion, reducing sugar production in the liver and supporting insulin release.
Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It is well established that diabetes and obesity can increase your risk of developing dementia.
“This study supports existing evidence that shows these drugs may reduce dementia risk, particularly for people aged 60 and over who are living with type 2 diabetes and obesity.”
He added: “There are clinical trials currently looking at whether drugs like these can be used to treat early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, so this is a really exciting area being explored in the research fight against dementia.
Researchers analysed health data from around 60,000 people aged 58 on average, all of whom had type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Half were given semaglutide – sold as Wegovy and also used in Ozempic – or tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro. The other half received alternative diabetes treatments.
Over seven years, those using GLP agonist drugs had a 37 per cent lower risk of developing dementia and a 19 per cent reduced risk of stroke.
Greater benefits were seen in participants over 60, women, and those with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40.
No significant difference was found between the groups when it came to Parkinson’s disease or brain bleeds.
Researchers said the results indicate possible protective effects on the brain and blood vessels, but stressed more studies are needed.
Professor Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh and group leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute, said the study was “very interesting” but added: “This type of study cannot determine whether the drugs reduced disease risk by directly protecting the brain.
It is highly likely that effectively treating type 2 diabetes and obesity would reduce dementia and stroke risk as they are known risk factors for these conditions.
