Liraglutide is a drug that is commonly prescribed for diabetes and weight loss. But a new study has recently found that it reduces brain shrinkage in Alzheimer’s patients by almost 50%. It is part of the glucagon-like peptide receptor (GLP-1) agonists. They are approved for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes. But researchers are now trying to understand their further applications.
In this study, researchers involved 204 patients with Alzheimer’s disease. They divided these participants into two groups such as the liraglutide group and the placebo group and were asked to take Liraglutide and placebo injections respectively. These patients were asked to undergo magnetic resonance imaging of their brain to check the structure and volume, PET scans, MRI and take memory tests before this study began.
Then researchers repeated these tests at the end of the study. They used brain imaging to check the shrinkage of their brains. This method revealed shrinkage in frontal, temporal, parietal and total gray matter. These parts control learning, memory and decision making. These are the critical functions that are usually affected in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
When researchers observed the reports of these tests, they found that patients who took liraglutide injection showed a significant reduction in shrinkage and cognitive decline in their brains as compared to those who took the placebo injection. MRI showed nearly 50% less volume loss in various brain areas. Additionally, cognitive testing showed that patients who received liraglutide had an 18% slower decline in cognitive function over one year compared to those who received a placebo.
This new research that was presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference has revealed that liraglutide can protect the brains of mild Alzheimer’s patients and reduce cognitive decline by up to 18% after a year of treatment.
Researchers of this study said that liraglutide’s protective effect on the brain is due to its ability to influence inflammation, amyloid, tau protein aggregation, insulin resistance. It also shows down the reduction in brain volume. This effect is similar to how statins protect the heart by reducing cholesterol levels.
One of the researchers said that this study is very important as it reveals liraglutide can protect the brain as it reduces inflammation, lowers insulin resistance and improves nerve cell communication. He also said these all are the biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, it can effectively treat people with Alzheimer’s disease.
