Ozempic use is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive problems, researchers in a new study said. The results, however, cannot be applied to users who do not have diabetes.
The study, published Thursday, was led by researchers from the University of Oxford, which analyzed more than 100,000 patient records in the US, including 20,000 who were taking semaglutide, commonly known as Ozempic or Wegovy.
Researchers found that the drug did not increase the risk of neurological or psychiatric conditions compared to other antidiabetic medications, and was in fact associated with a lower risk of cognitive problems and nicotine dependence. The study described a handful of conditions for which the drug did not increase risk, including dementia, depression and anxiety.
“Our results suggest that the use of semaglutide may go beyond controlling diabetes, potentially offering unexpected benefits in treating and preventing cognitive decline and substance misuse,” said Dr. Riccardo De Giorgi, clinical professor at the University of Oxford and main author of the study. .
The findings were observational, so the researchers concluded that further investigation is needed to explore which properties of semaglutide led to the trends. They also encouraged more trials that replicate the study to confirm their findings.
“However, it is good news for patients with psychiatric disorders, who are at increased risk of diabetes,” said Max Taquet, clinical professor at the University of Oxford and senior author of the study.
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