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Ozempic and Wegovy may cut dementia risk by 45% and manage diabetes, study finds

Ozempic and Wegovy may cut dementia risk by 45% and manage diabetes, study finds

Time of India6 days ago
Source: Reuters
A groundbreaking study has revealed that GLP-1 receptor agonists—including popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro- may significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia.
The analysis, conducted by Irish researchers and published in
JAMA Neurology
, involved data from over 164,000 participants and found that these medications reduced the risk of memory-robbing disorders by up to 45 per cent. These findings not only open new avenues for neurological protection but also position GLP-1 drugs as powerful tools in both metabolic and cognitive health management.
Study links GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro to lower dementia risk
Researchers from the University of Galway reviewed 26 clinical trials involving 164,531 individuals—65% of whom were men, with an average age of 64.
The participants were followed for an average of 31 months. The key discovery: patients taking GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) were 45% less likely to develop dementia compared to those on other glucose-lowering medications.
Dr. Catriona Reddin, senior study author, said, 'Our findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists, in particular, may have a protective effect on brain health.'
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How GLP-1 agonists may protect against dementia
Although the exact mechanism remains under investigation, researchers propose several pathways through which GLP-1 medications could shield the brain:
Reduced neuroinflammation: These drugs may lower inflammation in the brain, which is known to damage neurons and trigger dementia symptoms.
Decrease in amyloid and tau proteins: GLP-1 agonists could suppress the accumulation of toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Improved blood vessel health: They may reduce blood pressure and enhance blood flow, preventing vascular dementia.
Neurogenesis stimulation: Early research suggests these drugs may promote neural growth in the hippocampus, the brain region essential for memory.
GLP-1 drugs may help prevent both diabetes and dementia
The new study aligns with earlier research from the University of Florida, which followed 400,000 Americans and reported a 33% lower risk of dementia among GLP-1 users compared to other treatments.
This growing body of evidence supports the role of semaglutide and tirzepatide not only in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity but potentially in preventing cognitive decline.
Professor Martin O'Donnell, Dean at the University of Galway, emphasised, 'With both diabetes and dementia rising, these findings have major public health implications.'
Dementia and diabetes: Twin epidemics in the US
The study arrives amid alarming trends:
Over 8 million Americans currently live with dementia, with 500,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
Diabetes now affects 38 million people in the US; around 12% of the population.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's rates have climbed 25 consecutive years.
The intersection of these two epidemics highlights the urgency of therapies that can address both conditions simultaneously.
Study highlights need for more GLP-1 brain health data
While the findings are promising, researchers caution that more work is needed to confirm the results. Notable limitations include:
Lack of data on dementia subtypes like Lewy body and vascular dementia
Differences in study design and follow-up durations
Unclear long-term cognitive outcomes for different age groups and genders
Still, this analysis lays essential groundwork for future research into neurometabolic protection via GLP-1 therapies.
Originally celebrated as breakthrough treatments for obesity and diabetes, these medications may now be poised to take on an even broader role in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
As Dr. Reddin concluded, 'This research marks a significant advancement in how we understand the brain benefits of diabetes medications.'
This article is based on findings from a study published in JAMA Neurology (July 2024). While the research links GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro to reduce dementia risk, it is observational and does not prove direct causation. Further studies are needed. Always consult a healthcare provider before making medication decisions.
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The 3 worst things you can say after a pet dies, and what to say instead
The 3 worst things you can say after a pet dies, and what to say instead

Indian Express

timean hour ago

  • Indian Express

The 3 worst things you can say after a pet dies, and what to say instead

By Brian N. Chin I saw it firsthand after my cat Murphy died earlier this year. She'd been diagnosed with cancer just weeks before. She was a small gray tabby with delicate paws who, even during chemotherapy, climbed her favourite dresser perch – Mount Murphy – with steady determination. The day after she died, a colleague said with a shrug: 'It's just part of life.' That phrase stayed with me – not because it was wrong, but because of how quickly it dismissed something real. Murphy wasn't just a cat. She was my eldest daughter – by bond, if not by blood. My shadow. More than two-thirds of US households include pets. Americans tend to treat them like family with birthday cakes, shared beds and names on holiday cards. But when someone grieves them like family, the cultural script flips. Grief gets minimised. Support gets awkward. And when no one acknowledges your loss, it starts to feel like you weren't even supposed to love them that much in the first place. I've seen this kind of grief up close – in my research and in my own life. I am a psychologist who studies attachment, loss and the human-animal bond. And I've seen firsthand how often grief following pet loss gets brushed aside – treated as less valid, less serious or less worthy of support than human loss. After a pet dies, people often say the wrong thing – usually trying to help, but often doing the opposite. Psychologists describe this kind of unacknowledged loss as disenfranchised grief: a form of mourning that isn't fully recognised by social norms or institutions. It happens after miscarriages, breakups, job loss – and especially after the death of a beloved animal companion. The pain is real for the person grieving, but what's missing is the social support to mourn that loss. Even well-meaning people struggle to respond in ways that feel supportive. And when grief gets dismissed, it doesn't just hurt – it makes us question whether we're even allowed to feel it. Here are three of the most common responses – and what to do instead: This is one of the most reflexive responses after a loss like this. It sounds harmless. But under the surface is a cultural belief that grieving an animal is excessive – even unprofessional. That belief shows up in everything from workplace leave policies to everyday conversations. Even from people trying to be kind. But pet grief isn't about the species, it's about the bond. And for many, that bond is irreplaceable. Pets often become attachment figures; they're woven into our routines, our emotional lives and our identities. Recent research shows that the quality of the human-pet bond matters deeply – not just for well-being, but for how we grieve when that connection ends. What's lost isn't 'just an animal.' It's the steady presence who greeted you every morning. The one who sat beside you through deadlines, small triumphs and quiet nights. A companion who made the world feel a little less lonely. But when the world treats that love like it doesn't count, the loss can cut even deeper. It may not come with formal recognition or time off, but it still matters. And love isn't less real just because it came with fur. If someone you care about loses a pet, acknowledge the bond. Even a simple 'I'm so sorry' can offer real comfort. 'I know how you feel' sounds empathetic, but it quietly shifts the focus from the griever to the speaker. It rushes in with your story before theirs has even had a chance to land. That instinct comes from a good place. We want to relate, to reassure, to let someone know they're not alone. But when it comes to grief, that impulse often backfires. Grief doesn't need to be matched. It needs to be honoured and given time, care and space to unfold, whether the loss is of a person or a pet. Instead of responding with your own story, try simpler, grounding words: 1) 'That sounds really hard.' 2) 'I'm so sorry.' 3) 'I'm here if you want to talk.' You don't need to understand someone's grief to make space for it. What helps isn't comparison – it's presence. Let them name the loss. Let them remember. Let them say what hurts. Sometimes, simply staying present – without rushing, problem-solving or shifting the focus away – is the most meaningful thing you can do. 'You can always get another one' is the kind of thing people offer reflexively when they don't know what else to say – a clumsy attempt at reassurance. Underneath is a desire to soothe, to fix, to make the sadness go away. But that instinct can miss the point: The loss isn't practical – it's personal. And grief isn't a problem to be solved. This type of comment often lands more like customer service than comfort. It treats the relationship as replaceable, as if love were something you can swap out like a broken phone. But every pet is one of a kind – not just in how they look or sound, but in how they move through your life. The way they wait for you at the door and watch you as you leave. The small rituals that you didn't know were rituals until they stopped. You build a life around them without realising it, until they're no longer in it. You wouldn't tell someone to 'just have another child' or 'just find a new partner.' And yet, people say the equivalent all the time after pet loss. Rushing to replace the relationship instead of honouring what was lost overlooks what made that bond irreplaceable. Love isn't interchangeable – and neither are the ones we lose. So offer care that endures. Grief doesn't follow a timeline. A check-in weeks or months later, whether it's a heart emoji, a shared memory or a gentle reminder that they're not alone, can remind someone that their grief is seen and their love still matters. People often don't know what to say after a pet dies, so they say nothing. But silence doesn't just bury grief, it isolates it. It tells the griever that their love was excessive, their sadness inconvenient, their loss unworthy of acknowledgment. And grief that feels invisible can be the hardest kind to carry. So if someone you love loses a pet, don't change the subject. Don't rush them out of their sadness. Don't offer solutions. Instead, here are a few other ways to offer support gently and meaningfully: 1) Say their pet's name. 2) Ask what they miss most. 3) Tell them you're sorry. 4) Let them cry. 5) Let them not cry. 6) Let them remember. Because when someone loses a pet, they're not 'just' mourning an animal. They're grieving for a relationship, a rhythm and a presence that made the world feel kinder. What they need most is someone willing to treat that loss like it matters.

Nisar mission to benefit global community in earth observation: Isro chief
Nisar mission to benefit global community in earth observation: Isro chief

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Nisar mission to benefit global community in earth observation: Isro chief

Nisar mission TIRUCHIRAPALLI: The Nisar mission , jointly developed by Isro and the national aeronautics and space administration ( Nasa ), would significantly benefit the global community in earth observation , Isro chairman V Narayanan said here on Saturday. The GSLV-F16/Nisar Mission is the result of over a decade of robust technical cooperation between the two teams of Isro and Nasa-jet propulsion laboratory, US. According to Isro , the mission in itself has got a lot of firsts -- it is the first mission to carry dual-band radar satellite, a GSLV rocket will carry a satellite to be placed in Sunsynchronous Orbit (unlike PSLV rockets) and it is the first Isro-Nasa Earth Observation Mission. Nisar, which is short for Nasa-Isro synthetic aperture radar (Nisar), would help scientists comprehensively monitor Earth's land and ice surfaces, building a detailed record of large and small changes over time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jakarta: Unsold Sofas May Be at Bargain Prices (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo The mission would also be crucial in helping the scientific community to gain a better understanding of the processes involved during natural calamities like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides. As per the collaboration between Isro and Nasa, the rocket would carry a unique earth observation satellite with a dual-frequency radar provided by Nasa's L-Band and Isro's S-Band. The Radar would use Nasa's 12 metre mesh reflector antenna that has been integrated into ISRO's I3K satellite bus. Speaking to reporters here, Narayanan said, "Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nisar) satellite launch will be done using our GSLV-MkII vehicle ( GSLV-F16 ). The payloads are jointly realised by Isro and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), USA. This satellite is going to be useful for the global community in earth observation and disaster mitigation areas." "The Mission is also a very, very important as Isro would be making the 102nd launch from Indian soil that is targeted on July 30, 5.40 pm (from Sriharikota)", Narayanan also the secretary, department of space, said. Weighing 2,392 kg, the satellite would observe the earth with a swath of 242 km and high spatial resolution, using SweepSAR technology for the first time, Isro said. The satellite would scan the entire globe and provide all weather, day and night data at 12-day interval and enable a wide range of applications. The radar can detect even small changes in the Earth's surface such as ground deformation, ice-sheet movement and vegetation dynamics. Some of the other applications are ship detection, shoreline monitoring, storm characterisation, changes in soil moisture, mapping and monitoring of surface water resources and disaster response, the space agency said. Nisar would provide scientific information about the Earth's processes and it would study key changes in Earth's land and ice. The mission would also be more powerful than previous Synthetic Aperture Radar missions as it will monitor parts of Earth which are not previously covered.

Venus Williams' health insurance comments: What athletes need to know
Venus Williams' health insurance comments: What athletes need to know

Business Standard

time2 hours ago

  • Business Standard

Venus Williams' health insurance comments: What athletes need to know

Venus Williams' recent singles win at the DC Open showcased her longevity and brought attention to health coverage for aging athletes following a joking comment she made in an on-court interview. "I had to come back for the insurance," the five-time Wimbledon champion said after Tuesday's match, her first in 16 months. "They informed me this year that I'm on COBRA, so it's like, I got to get my benefits on." The 45-year-old Williams, who has won seven major singles titles in her career, became the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in professional tennis with Tuesday's victory. After losing on Thursday, she acknowledged that her comment on health insurance was a "fun and funny moment." The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, more commonly referred to as COBRA, allows Americans to stay on their employer's insurance plan for a limited amount of time after leaving their job. It comes with high costs. Williams' comment led to questions about health insurance in the sports world. For most active professional athletes, partially or fully subsidised health insurance is provided by their league or governing body and guaranteed in their collective bargaining agreement. A CBA is an agreement reached between a league and its players that guarantees certain levels of player compensation and benefits, and can be renegotiated every few years. So when athletes are playing, they're usually covered. But Williams, coming back to the sport after a 16-month hiatus, brought to light how long that insurance lasts or doesn't last for athletes when they're not playing. Women's Tennis In the WTA, the governing body of the women's tour, players are eligible to enroll in the health insurance plan if they are ranked in the top 500 in singles or top 175 in doubles and have played a minimum of three WTA 250 level or above tournaments that year. If players are in the top 150 in singles or top 50 in doubles, the WTA will pay a portion of the premiums. If a player is no longer eligible under those requirements, they can enrol in COBRA for up to 18 months, which is likely the situation that Williams was referencing. That is also the WTA's only option for retiring players. "Nobody wants to be on COBRA, right? Williams said after her second-round loss on Thursday night. That remains an issue in my life Obviously (the interview was) a fun and funny moment, but it's an issue that people are dealing with, so it is serious." Men's Tennis The ATP provides health insurance to men's tennis players who rank in the top 250 in singles or top 50 in doubles. All other players with a ranking point are given the opportunity to purchase health insurance through the ATP's provider. For retired players, the only option is COBRA for up to three years. Golf As an individual sport without a CBA, golf tours vary. They do have a group insurance plan that is available to active members of the PGA Tour, the PGA Tour Champions (the tour for golfers over 50) and the Korn Ferry Tour (the feeder circuit for the PGA). For players who meet certain "performance criteria," including how many tournaments they played and how often they won, the PGA will partially subsidise the plan. In retirement, players are responsible for their own insurance. Some players join the PGA Tour Champions after the PGA Tour and play into their mid-60s, during which they maintain coverage. Top players can receive a subsidy from the PGA in retirement. The LPGA Tour, the women's professional golf tour, started offering its players fully funded health insurance for the first time this year. Before this year, players were given a $4,000 stipend. NBA NBA players have access to one of the most inclusive insurance plans in retirement. If they played at least three years in the league, retired NBA players are eligible for fully-funded health insurance in retirement, and if they played at least 10 years, they will have healthcare covered for their entire family. WNBA WNBA players are fighting for retirement healthcare as part of their new CBA, which they are currently negotiating with the league. Those negotiations have been heated, and the most recent meeting between the two sides last weekend did not result in an agreement. One unique facet of the W's healthcare is that athletes who have spent more than eight years in the league can be reimbursed up to USD 20,000 a year for costs related to adoption, surrogacy, egg freezing or additional fertility treatments. NFL The NFL has less long-term coverage for retirees than most other team sport leagues athletes who played in the league for at least three years can remain on the NFL health insurance plan, but only for five years into retirement. NHL NHL players who have played more than 160 games with the league, which is about two seasons, are eligible to buy NHL health insurance for their retirement. The retirement insurance plan is eligible for partial subsidization from the league. MLB Baseball players who spent at least four years in the league have the option to pay premiums to stay on the MLB's healthcare plan indefinitely. Minor League Baseball has its own separate CBA, which also guarantees health insurance for active players. In the minors, however, players who get cut or leave the league lose coverage at the end of that month. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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