Older GLP-1 drug from Novo Nordisk may slow Alzheimer's disease progression by protecting the brain, study says

An older, once-daily drug for diabetes and obesity from Novo Nordisk called liraglutide may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by protecting patients' brains, according to data from a mid-stage trial released on Tuesday. 

Novo Nordisk sells liraglutide as a diabetes and obesity drug under the brand names Victoza and Saxenda, respectively. Quarterly sales of those daily injections have been declining as patients shift toward the Danish drugmaker's blockbuster weekly injections, Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss.

The results add to growing evidence that the highly popular class of obesity and diabetes medications called GLP-1s may have significant health benefits beyond promoting weight loss and regulating blood sugar. As GLP-1 demand skyrocketed over the last two years, Novo Nordisk and rival Eli Lilly have been studying their drugs' potential in patients with chronic conditions ranging from fatty liver disease to sleep apnea. 

Researchers from the Imperial College London followed more than 200 patients in the U.K. with mild to moderate Alzheimer's who were randomly assigned to receive either a daily injection of liraglutide or a placebo. The study was partly funded by Novo Nordisk. 

Patients who received liraglutide had an 18% slower decline in cognitive function after one year of treatment compared to those who received the placebo. 

The phase two trial found that liraglutide slowed the shrinking of certain parts of the brain that are critical for memory, decision-making, learning and language by nearly 50% compared to the placebo, based on MRI exams. Alzheimer's disease often causes the brain to shrink as the illness progresses because crucial nerve cells break down and stop working properly. 

Research