Ozempic: A Cure for Neurodegenerative Disease?

Image Citation: [9]

Written by Lucas Shen ‘27

Edited by Thomas Wang ‘26

“Ozempic face,” “Ozempic burps,” “Ozempic dreams”—the internet’s coinage of these terms exhibits the popularity of the semaglutide drug intended to help adults with type 2 diabetes (1). However, colloquially, the drug is known for its off-label weight loss or appetite-suppressing effects, and within the last five years, prescriptions of semaglutide medication have increased over 40-fold (2).

Ozempic is a class of medication called semaglutide injections which helps the pancreas regulate the amount of insulin it secretes. Additionally, it slows the movement of food through the stomach and mimics a naturally occurring hormone, GLP-1, that normally signals to the brain that the body is full. Ozempic has also been found to restrict the stimulation of the neurotransmitter glutamate, and high levels of glutamate are associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's (3). 

GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic have been found to possess anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties in preclinical studies. Some animal studies have suggested that these drugs may reduce neuroinflammation and enhance neuronal survival, leading to speculation that they could play a role in slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s (4). Initial research has supported a possible connection between diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, individuals with diabetes have a 38% higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. In lieu of this plausible connection, studies have studied the link between glucose regulation and brain health (5).

Recent findings on Alzheimer’s disease have shown promise. A study published in Alzheimer’s Journal (October 2024) found that semaglutide was associated with a 40% to 70% reduced risk of first-time AD diagnosis in type 2 diabetes patients compared to other antidiabetic medications, including other GLP-1 receptor agonists(4). Additionally, semaglutide use was linked to significantly lower AD-related medication prescriptions, suggesting a potential protective effect against cognitive decline. These results were constant across obesity status, gender, and age groups.

Figure 1: Comparison of first-time diagnosis of AD propensity-score-matched semaglutide versus other antidiabetic medications groups in patients with T2DM (4).

In the Figure 1, the separation between the curves indicates semaglutide’s potential benefits in slowing AD development. These findings have raised interest in semaglutide’s potential to modify the disease course, however, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness across non-diabetic patients.

However, despite the intriguing findings for Alzheimer's disease, there is currently no strong clinical evidence to suggest that Ozempic or other GLP-1 receptor agonists can prevent, halt, or significantly improve Parkinson’s disease symptoms in humans. In a study published in February 2025 by the Lancet, researchers found that there was no difference between a group treated with a GLP-1 agonist, exenatide, and a placebo group(5). Therefore, the team concluded that there was no evidence to support exenatide as a disease modifying treatment for patients with Parkinson's, but did emphasize that patients with type 2 diabetes were excluded from the study, and that studies among those patient populations were more promising in the efficacy to treat Parkinson’s. This study corroborates an earlier study in 2017, in which researchers also found no significant difference in clinical benefits between the exenatide and placebo group in patients with Parkinson’s (6).

Even with Ozempic promising results in reducing onset of Alzheimer’s, several challenges would need to be addressed before it could be considered a viable treatment option. First, the long-term effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on the brain are not well understood. While some animal models have suggested benefits, human studies may yield different results. Additionally, Ozempic carries side effects that could be problematic for neurodegenerative disease patients. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort(1). More severe adverse effects, such as an increased risk of thyroid tumors and pancreatitis, have also been noted(4). For individuals already managing the complex symptoms of Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, these side effects may outweigh any potential benefits.

The excitement surrounding Ozempic’s potential beyond diabetes and weight loss is understandable, given the drug’s increasing popularity and the urgent need for better treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. However, at present, there is no definitive scientific evidence supporting the use of Ozempic as a Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s treatment. While preliminary studies on GLP-1 receptor agonists provide some reason for cautious optimism, more rigorous research is required before making any claims about their efficacy in neurodegenerative diseases.

References

1. Sunrise Editorial Team, Wu T. A Beginner’s Guide to Ozempic Lingo [Internet]. Sunrise. 2024. Available from: https://www.findsunrise.com/blog/guide-to-ozempic-lingo?srsltid=AfmBOop1h3F_rwTIlGbH5LGNC4YJyBW3JED3gYf00k3gf-itOBImtKDd

2. UC Davis Health. Ozempic for weight loss: Does it work, and what do experts recommend? 2023 Jul 19; Available from: https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/ozempic-for-weight-loss-does-it-work-and-what-do-experts-recommend/2023/07

3. Cleveland Clinic. Glutamate. 2022 Apr 25; Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22839-glutamate

4. Wang W, Wang Q, Qi X, Gurney M, Perry G, Volkow ND, et al. 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. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. 2024 Dec;20(12):8661–72.

5. Siddeeque N, Hussein MH, Abdelmaksoud A, Bishop J, Attia AS, Elshazli RM, et al. Neuroprotective effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists in neurodegenerative Disorders: A Large-Scale Propensity-Matched cohort study. Int Immunopharmacol. 2024 Dec;143:113537.

6. Vijiaratnam N, Girges C, Auld G, McComish R, King A, Skene SS, et al. Exenatide once a week versus placebo as a potential disease-modifying treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease in the UK: a phase 3, multicentre, double-blind, parallel-group, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet. 2025 Feb;405(10479):627–36.

7. Athauda D, Maclagan K, Skene SS, Bajwa-Joseph M, Letchford D, Chowdhury K, et al. Exenatide once weekly versus placebo in Parkinson’s disease: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet. 2017 Oct;390(10103):1664–75.

8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use.

9. Stewart J. What Ozempic Really Does to Your Brain [Internet]. Men’s Health. 2024 [cited 2025 Mar 10]. Available from: https://www.menshealth.com/health/a63249412/what-ozempic-does-to-your-brain/