Neurologists are buzzing about the latest GLP-1/Alzheimer’s breakthroughs—here’s what they're saying

Growing research suggests that GLP-1s offer significant benefits beyond weight loss and diabetes management, with improvements noted in conditions such as substance use disorders, seizures, clotting disorders, and even neurocognitive issues—including Alzheimer’s disease.^[]

Scientists are hustling to understand how the drugs impact bodily functions—especially when it comes to the brain and the development of Alzheimer’s.

But as Raj Dasgupta, MD, an internal medicine physician and Chief Medical Officer of Sleepopolis, tells MDLinx, “Most of this research is still in the early phases, so we need to interpret it with cautious optimism.” Here’s what we know so far.

What the latest research says

There’s been an influx of data in the past year demonstrating that GLP-1 medications may have a profound effect on brain health and cognitive functioning. 

A 2024 study, for example, found that people with type 2 diabetes had a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s if they took semaglutide.^[] And a 2024 review published in the Journal of Biomedical Science found that GLP-1 drugs exhibited neuroprotective effects and may therefore help treat neurodegenerative diseases.^[]

Many other studies, however, have been inconclusive. A 2023 meta-analysis examined five studies evaluating GLP-1s and cognition, but only one of the included papers found a benefit.^[] Another trial looked into the effects of exenatide on people with cognitive impairment and found no improvements.^[] “These studies underscore the importance of continued research to fully understand the potential role of GLP-1 RAs in Alzheimer's disease treatment and prevention,” Amy Sanders, MD, a dementia neurologist with Sunday Health, tells MDLinx.

Why do GLP-1s have this effect on brain health?

Scientists are still actively exploring why GLP-1 drugs may have a beneficial effect, but they have a few leading theories.  

For one, there’s a known link between insulin resistance—aka diabetes—and Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, Alzheimer’s is occasionally referred to as “type 3 diabetes,” says Daniel Lesley, MD, a neurologist at Remo Health. By improving diabetes, you may be able to improve brain functioning, too, some scientists suspect.

Why? It’s well-known that insulin resistance increases inflammation in the body and ups the risk of blood vessel damage, both of which contribute to the development of dementia.^[][] Accordingly, any medication that regulates blood sugar levels could reduce inflammation and minimize the effects of obesity and metabolic syndrome—two risk factors for dementia.^[] This, in turn, could reduce the odds of developing dementia, says Dr. Lesley. 

In addition, Dr. Sanders explains that animal models have shown how GLP-1s may boost the brain’s immune cells, thereby reducing amyloid plaques and tau protein concentration.

However, as Dr. Lesley pointed out, the fact that the brain has GLP-1 receptors doesn’t automatically indicate that GLP-1s can treat brain diseases. “Just because most parts of the brain express GLP-1 receptors does not mean that a medication that affects those receptors will necessarily be helpful at preventing, controlling, or 'curing' a disease of the brain,” he says.

Scientists are only beginning to understand if and how GLP-1 drugs impact brain disorders. Much more research is needed. “While the early findings are exciting, we still need large clinical trials that look specifically at how GLP-1s perform in people with or at risk for Alzheimer’s, ideally people who don’t also have diabetes, so we can really isolate the brain effects,” says Dr. Dasgupta.