Ozempic, a diabetes and weight loss drug, is being studied for use as a treatment for Alzheimer’s.
Along with other drugs for diabetes, Reuters reported, it appears to be able to address specific aspects of Alzheimer’s in terms of the metabolic system, including amyloid proteins and the inflammation that occurs in the brain.
According to researchers cited by the agency, the hope is that improvements in glucose use and control of inflammation in the body, including the brain, will delay diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Although research is still in its early stages, it has been shown that removing amyloid plaques deposited in the brain may delay cognitive decline caused by the disease.
Suzanne Kraft, professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University, said in a speech at a scientific meeting on Alzheimer’s late last year that there was a need to test diabetes treatments to slow the progression of the mental illness.
According to the outlet, Kraft argued that the diabetes drugs could “extend the clinical benefit of anti-amyloid drugs and potentially lead to complete stabilization or even some recovery in Alzheimer’s patients.” Can.”
Kraft said pharmaceutical companies have been approached to increase research in this area.
Any progress on the matter would mean a substantial reward, the paper said, as the market for Alzheimer’s drugs is expected to grow to $9.4 billion by 2028.
While these treatments can be successful, early research results have been mixed, said Hannah Churchill, communications manager for the Alzheimer’s Society.
