Study Finds GLP-1 Diabetes Medications May Lower Dementia Risk Compared to Metformin

Recent research indicates that GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medications used in managing type 2 diabetes, could be more effective than the commonly prescribed metformin in reducing the risk of developing dementia. This large-scale, observational study, published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, analyzed electronic health records from a global network covering data from 2004 to 2024. It involved 174,458 patients with type 2 diabetes, each treated with either GLP-1 receptor agonists or metformin for at least six months, with an average age of 58.

The findings revealed no significant difference in vascular dementia risk when these drugs were used as first-line treatments. However, patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists showed a 10% lower overall risk of developing dementia — with incidences of nearly 2.5% compared to almost 5% among those on metformin. Notably, the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists was associated with a 12% reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and a 25% decrease in non-vascular dementia cases.

Further detailed analysis demonstrated that these protective effects were consistent across various age groups, especially in individuals over 60, women, and those of white ethnicity. Additionally, mortality rates were lower: nearly 5% of patients on GLP-1 agonists died during the study period, compared to nearly 9% of those on metformin.

The researchers explained that both types of medications have neuroprotective properties, including reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, improving insulin sensitivity, and supporting cerebrovascular health. GLP-1 receptor agonists, given their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, may exert direct effects on the central nervous system, potentially explaining their enhanced protective benefits.

Despite these promising results, the study is observational and cannot establish causality. The authors underscore that further long-term research is needed to confirm these findings. Nonetheless, the results suggest that integrating GLP-1 receptor agonists as a first-line therapy in type 2 diabetes management could have profound implications for preventing cognitive decline and dementia.

These findings highlight the importance of considering neuroprotective effects when choosing diabetes treatments. They also emphasize the potential for new therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the societal and economic burden associated with diabetes-related dementia.

Source: [https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-glp-diabetes-drugs-trump-metformin.html]