A recent study from McGill University has found that two classes of incretin-based medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes may be linked to a lower risk of developing dementia. The research analyzed clinical data from over 450,000 patients and adds support to the idea that these therapies could have benefits for brain health.
The study focused on GLP-1 receptor agonists, which include drugs such as Ozempic, and DPP-4 inhibitors. Researchers followed patients aged 50 or older who were starting either incretin-based treatments or sulfonylureas, another common diabetes medication that is not believed to protect cognitive function.
Results showed that DPP-4 inhibitors were associated with a 23 percent reduction in dementia risk compared with sulfonylureas. The association became stronger with higher doses and longer use. GLP-1 receptor agonists also appeared to reduce dementia risk, though the evidence was less certain because fewer patients in the study used these newer medications.
"While there has been enormous attention on GLP-1 drugs, these findings suggest DPP-4 inhibitors also deserve a closer look," said Renoux.
Previous studies had suggested cognitive benefits from incretin-based therapies but often lacked detailed information about patient health and the severity of diabetes—a key factor influencing dementia risk. By using comprehensive clinical data from the U.K.'s Clinical Practice Research Datalink, researchers were able to account for these variables and provide a more reliable comparison.
"These results give us solid evidence for something scientists have suspected for some time," said Renoux. "These drugs may have benefits far beyond blood-sugar control that we are only beginning to understand."
Renoux noted that further long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings, especially among people now taking GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.
