Old Novo drug shows promise in small Alzheimer’s study

A clinical study reported by Reuters indicates the Novo Nordisk’s drug liraglutide may reduce brain atrophy in mild Alzheimer’s patients. In the trial with 204 participants, those treated with liraglutide experienced nearly half the brain mass loss in memory and cognition areas than those given a placebo. Although the study didn’t achieve its primary goal related to brain cell metabolism, it did reach its secondary objective. Results suggest that GLP-1 analogs, like liraglutide, could impact hard-to-treat brain diseases. The study, not funded by Novo Nordisk, precedes a larger company-conducted trial on semaglutide with results due in 2025. While the findings are promising, the study wasn’t designed to measure cognitive benefits and doesn’t confirm dementia protection, noted by Professor Stephen Evans.