A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has found that a type of diabetes medication called GLP-1 agonists may do more than help manage blood sugar—it could also reduce the risk of dementia in older adults with type 2 diabetes.
The study was published in the journal eClinicalMedicine and brings new hope for protecting brain health in people with this common form of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes doesn’t just affect blood sugar and weight—it also increases the risk of dementia, a condition where memory and thinking skills decline over time. This can make everyday tasks difficult and greatly impact quality of life.
Because of this, scientists have been trying to find out whether diabetes medications can also protect the brain.
GLP-1 agonists are already known for their ability to lower blood sugar, help people lose weight, and reduce the risk of heart problems. Now, researchers are exploring whether these drugs might also help keep the brain healthy.
The study followed over 88,000 older people with type 2 diabetes for up to ten years. To make the research as strong as possible, the team used a method called target trial emulation. This approach is designed to mimic the results of a randomized clinical trial, even though it uses real-world data.
The researchers compared the effects of three different types of diabetes drugs: GLP-1 agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, and sulfonylureas. They focused on how likely people were to develop dementia while using these treatments.
The results were promising. People who used GLP-1 agonists had a 30% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those taking sulfonylureas, and a 23% lower risk compared to those on DPP-4 inhibitors.
Bowen Tang, a PhD student on the research team led by Sara Hägg at Karolinska Institutet, explained that these findings could help doctors make better choices when prescribing diabetes medications for older patients.
In the future, GLP-1 agonists might be chosen not only for blood sugar control but also for their potential to protect brain health.
Even though these results are exciting, the researchers say that more studies are needed. They recommend larger, randomized trials to confirm that GLP-1 agonists can truly help prevent dementia.
These future studies will help show whether the brain-protective benefits of the drug can be seen in different groups of people and over longer periods of time.
For now, the study adds to growing evidence that GLP-1 agonists offer many health benefits beyond blood sugar control. If you or someone you know is managing type 2 diabetes, it may be worth discussing this medication option with a healthcare provider.
In addition to medications, researchers are also studying how things like diet and vitamins can affect diabetes. For example, vitamin D and avocados have both been studied for their potential to help people with type 2 diabetes.
To learn more, you can also look at recent studies about how eating habits can help prevent type 2 diabetes, and which vitamins may protect against diabetes-related complications.
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