Two medications commonly used to lower blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes may also help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
Researchers from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy found that patients who used GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) or SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those using other diabetes drugs.
The study, published in JAMA Neurology, used Medicare data from older adults with Type 2 diabetes to explore whether these medications could offer brain health benefits. The research was supported by the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
According to the findings, both GLP-1RAs and SGLT2is were linked to a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This suggests that the drugs may do more than just lower blood sugar—they might also help protect the brain or slow down memory loss in people who already have Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Serena Jingchuan Guo, the study’s senior author and an assistant professor at the University of Florida, said these results are exciting. “It’s promising that medications for diabetes could also help keep the brain healthy,” she said. “As more people start using these drugs, it’s important to learn about all their benefits and risks.”
These medications are already being used to treat both Type 2 diabetes and obesity. The researchers believe their protective effects on the brain could lead to new ways of preventing Alzheimer’s in the future—even in people without diabetes.
The study was conducted by a team of experts, including Dr. William Donahoo, a clinical professor of endocrinology, and Dr. Steven DeKosky, a neurologist and professor of Alzheimer’s research at the University of Florida.
They focused on people with Type 2 diabetes, but the researchers say their next step is to study these medications in broader populations using more recent real-world data.
Dr. Guo said future studies should explore which groups of patients benefit most and who may be at risk for side effects. The goal is to better understand how to use these medications safely and effectively to support both blood sugar control and brain health.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and blood pressure problem at night may increase Alzheimer’s risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and epilepsy drug may help treat Alzheimer’s disease.
The study is published in JAMA Neurology.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
