GLP-1 Analogs Showing Broad Neuroprotective Potential Across Neurological Disorders: Paul Edison, MBBS, PhD, FRCPI

WATCH TIME: 4 minutes

"I think to understand the GLP-1 analogs better, we need to do more mechanistic studies along with the large-scale studies, because what we now know is there is some signal in the brain, and we are not fully sure how exactly it is providing the benefit. "

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, may offer benefits beyond metabolic control. A recent large retrospective cohort study evaluated over 5 million obese adults across 17 countries to investigate whether GLP-1 therapies are associated with a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases. After matching for baseline characteristics, researchers reported that patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists had significantly lower risks of developing Alzheimer disease (AD), Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia.¹

Although the overall risk reduction for Parkinson disease (PD) was not significant, semaglutide—a specific GLP-1 agent—did show a protective effect in that population. The study also reported that GLP-1 receptor agonist use was linked to a significant reduction in all-cause mortality. These results suggested that GLP-1 therapies may confer neuroprotective benefits, potentially expanding their use in the prevention or delay of neurodegenerative conditions. The findings support further investigation into the mechanisms driving these effects and encourage clinical exploration of GLP-1 receptor agonists in broader neurological applications.

Building on these findings, GLP-1 receptor agonists and their potential neuroprotective benefits took center stage at the 2025 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, held April 5-9, in San Diego, California. During a hot topics plenary session, Paul Edison, MBBS, PhD, FRCPI, professor of neuroscience at Imperial College London, explored the broader implications of these therapies beyond their metabolic effects. In a follow-up conversation with NeurologyLive^®, Edison highlighted growing evidence of their utility in cognitive disorders like AD and PD. He underscored the need for further mechanistic research and large-scale clinical studies to fully realize their therapeutic potential in neurology.

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REFERENCES
1. Siddeeque N, Hussein MH, Abdelmaksoud A, et al. Neuroprotective effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists in neurodegenerative Disorders: A Large-Scale Propensity-Matched cohort study. Int Immunopharmacol. 2024;143(Pt 3):113537. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113537
2. Edison E. GLP1 Receptor Agonists: A Panacea or Too Good to Be True?. Presented at: 2025 AAN Annual Meeting; April 5-9; San Diego, CA. Hot Topics Plenary Session.