It looks like hopes that new obesity drugs could help slow Alzheimer’s disease aren’t panning out. This comes from two clinical trials by Novo Nordisk.
A pill with semaglutide—a GLP-1 agonist also available as an injection—didn’t manage to slow down patients’ cognitive decline by at least 20%, which was the goal.
This news caused a 10% drop in the company’s stock on Monday, according to Reuters.
The Evoke and Evoke+ studies started in 2021 and included about 4,000 early-stage Alzheimer’s patients. There was some hope based on early data showing that diabetes patients using GLP-1 agonists had a lower risk of dementia.
A small study also suggested that liraglutide might slow brain volume loss in people with early Alzheimer’s.
Interestingly, at least 20 clinical trials were planned in 2022 to explore how GLP-1 agonists affect dementia, as noted in a review in Pharmacological Research.
GLP-1 agonists work like a hormone released after eating, which signals the brain to feel full. Previous studies hinted they might reduce inflammation in the body and possibly in the brain, which could impact Alzheimer’s progression.
However, these new studies might not show how all GLP-1s work. Dr. Heather Ferris from the University of Virginia mentioned that animal studies suggest liraglutide gets into the brain better than semaglutide.
Right now, only two drug treatments can slow Alzheimer’s symptoms: monoclonal antibodies made by Eli Lilly and Eisai-Biogen. While they can slow the disease’s progression by nearly 30%, they come with serious risks like brain bleeding.
These treatments are currently being tested in new studies to see if they can prevent the disease before symptoms start.
