Do GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic reduce dementia risk?
Recent studies suggest that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), including semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy), may lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease through multiple neuroprotective mechanisms.
Currently, GLP-1 drugs are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, but not for dementia prevention or treatment. Ongoing research is evaluating their potential role in slowing Alzheimer’s disease progression.
How Might GLP-1 Drugs Reduce Dementia Risk?
While the exact mechanism is unclear, GLP-1 drugs may lower dementia risk by addressing key risk factors, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular disease
Additionally, studies suggest GLP-1 drugs may affect Alzheimer’s disease pathways by:
- Reducing oxidative stress & inflammation in the brain
- Improving insulin signaling, which is linked to cognitive function
- Lowering amyloid-beta plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by amyloid-beta accumulation and long-term inflammation in the brain. In animal models, GLP-1 drugs have been shown to reduce amyloid-beta plaques. Impaired cognitive function is also related to insulin resistance, and GLP-1 drugs help improve insulin signaling in the brain. They also reduce the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (signaling proteins) that can lessen inflammation in the brain.
Related questions
- Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?
- Ozempic Side Effects to Watch For
- What are the long-term side effects of Ozempic?
What Is the Evidence That GLP-1 Drugs May Lower Dementia Risk?
- A 2024 cohort study of over 1 million patients with type 2 diabetes in a US nationwide database of electronic health records found that semaglutide was associated with a 70% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease within a 3-year follow-up period compared to insulin and a 40% risk reduction relative to other GLP-1 drugs.
- A 2025 cohort study of about 200,000 people in the US Department of Veterans Affairs database with diabetes who started GLP-1 medication found that compared to other treatments, GLP-1 drugs were associated with a lower risk of neurocognitive disorders (including Alzheimer’s disease).
- A 2024 University of Oxford analysis of about 100,000 US patients with type 2 diabetes reported a 48% lower dementia risk in semaglutide users versus sitagliptin (Januvia) over one year.
- A 2025 analysis found that GLP-1 drugs did not have any effect on cognitive performance in the short-term (over several months), but long-term studies that followed patients for up to 3.8 years did show a reduced risk of dementia for semaglutide compared to placebo.
Summary
Emerging evidence suggests GLP-1 drugs may help reduce dementia risk, particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes. Studies highlight potential benefits on amyloid clearance, neuroinflammation, and insulin signaling. However, long-term randomized controlled trials in non-diabetic populations are needed to confirm these findings.
References
De Giorgi, R., et. al. 2025. An analysis on the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in cognitive and mental health disorders. In: Nature Mental Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-025-00390-x
Meca, A. D., et. al. 2024. Unlocking the Potential: Semaglutide’s Impact on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease in Animal Models. In: Current Issues in Molecular Biology. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46060354
Wang, W., et. al. 2024. Associations of semaglutide with first-time diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in patients with type 2 diabetes: Target trial emulation using nationwide real-world data in the US. In: Alzheimer’s and Dementia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14313
Xie, Y., et. al. 2025. Mapping the effectiveness and risks of GLP-1 receptor agonists. In: Nature Medicine. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03412-w
Read next
Ozempic Mounjaro Wegovy & Zepbound: Weight Loss Compared
Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound can all lead to long-term weight loss, but only Wegovy and Zepbound are approved by the FDA for this use. In studies, Zepbound has led to a 21% weight loss in adults using the highest dose, while Wegovy has led to about a 15% weight loss.
Continue reading
Wegovy vs Ozempic: Which is Right for You?
Both Wegovy and Ozempic contain semaglutide, but Wegovy is prescribed for long-term weight management while Ozempic is used to control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes and help protect kidney function. They both lower the risk for heart-related complications, but they differ in other approved uses, doses, target populations and costs. Continue reading
How long does it take for Ozempic to work?
Your blood glucose (sugar) levels should start to fully decline within the first week after you start using Ozempic (semaglutide) at your regular dose. However, the full effect can take 8 weeks or longer, as this is a long-acting medication that is injected only once per week. Continue reading
See also:
Related medical questions
- How many doses are in an Ozempic pen?
- Do Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro & Zepbound cause hair loss?
- How does Ozempic work for weight loss?
- Can you switch between Ozempic and Mounjaro?
- What happens when you stop taking Ozempic?
- Does Ozempic need to be refrigerated?
- Which GLP-1 drug is best for weight loss?
- Saxenda vs Ozempic: For Weight Loss?
- Will my insurance cover the cost of Ozempic?
- When is the best time of day to take Ozempic?
- Why am I not losing weight on Ozempic?
- Can you buy Ozempic over the counter?
- Does Ozempic cause muscle loss and how to prevent it?
- Where and how should Ozempic be injected?
- Rybelsus vs Ozempic for weight loss: Which to choose?
- Are there natural alternatives to Ozempic for weight loss?
- Do GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro cause sulfur burps?
- How long does Ozempic last in your system?
- Ozempic Face: What causes it and how to prevent it?
- How long can you stay on Ozempic?
- How does Ozempic affect blood pressure?
- Is Ozempic better than metformin?
- Trulicity vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?
Drug information
- Ozempic Information for Consumers
- Ozempic prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Ozempic (detailed)
- Ozempic user reviews (1,566)