Novo Nordisk's Older Weight Loss Drug May Slow Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Patients, Small Study Shows Brain-Protecting Benefits

A Phase 2b clinical trial presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2024 reveals that Novo Nordisk A/S’s NVO older generation GLP-1 drug, liraglutide, may slow cognitive decline by protecting the brain.

Related: Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic Reduces Smoking-Related Health Interventions In Diabetic Patients, Study Finds.

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) drugs are a class of medications primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, obesity.

GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide and help manage diabetes, promote weight loss, and reduce heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease risks.

Animal studies indicate these drugs may also have neuroprotective effects, reducing early forms of amyloid and normalizing brain glucose processing.

The study included 204 patients with mild Alzheimer’s across 24 UK clinics. Participants received up to 1.8 mg of liraglutide or a daily placebo for a year.

The primary endpoint, change in cerebral glucose metabolic rate (an assessment of brain function), was not met. However, significant benefits were observed in secondary endpoints like clinical and cognitive measures and brain volume changes.

Those on liraglutide experienced almost 50% less brain volume loss in critical regions such as the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes.

Cognitive testing before and after treatment showed an 18% slower decline in cognitive function among those on liraglutide compared to the placebo group.

Cognitive function was measured using a composite score from 18 different tests. The study also reported gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, as the most common side effects, but serious side effects were relatively rare.

Further research is warranted, but current late-stage trials of GLP-1 analogs, like the EVOKE Plus trial of semaglutide, are well-positioned to explore these findings further.

Reuters noted that its two trials began in 2021 and results are expected in 2025.

Liraglutide, marketed as Saxenda for weight loss and Victoza for diabetes, has already been approved by the FDA.

Price Action: NVO stock is up 0.50% at $128.69 at the last check on Tuesday.

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