A recent study has revealed promising findings regarding the potential of semaglutide, a drug commonly used for diabetes and weight loss under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, to aid in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Conducted by a team of researchers in China, the study utilized mouse models of Alzheimer’s to examine the effects of semaglutide. The findings, as reported by Science Alert, suggest that the drug may help immune cells adopt a more protective state, which could slow or even prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s.
The study’s authors highlighted significant improvements in the cognitive and behavioral functions of the mice treated with semaglutide. According to their published paper, the drug enhanced learning and memory while mitigating cognitive disorders in the 3xTg mouse model. Moreover, the researchers observed a reduction in brain molecules that typically trigger inflammation, accompanied by an increase in molecules with anti-inflammatory properties.
“We hypothesize that semaglutide exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by promoting the transformation of microglia cells from the M1 to M2 type, thereby providing neuroprotection in the brain,” the researchers wrote.
While previous studies have hinted at a possible connection between semaglutide and Alzheimer’s protection, the exact mechanisms and extent of its benefits remain unclear. This latest study, published in Neuroscience, offers further insight into semaglutide’s potential as a neuroprotective agent in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
As research in this area continues, the implications for Alzheimer’s treatment could be significant, but scientists caution that more studies are necessary to fully understand the drug’s role in neurodegenerative conditions.
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