Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic Could Have Additional Health Benefit
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Could diabetes and weight loss drugs like Ozempic (semaglutide) also protect the brain from stroke damage—or even help prevent strokes entirely?
Three new studies suggest they might, with the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists—such as Ozempic—extending beyond just blood sugar regulation and weight loss.
According to a May 2024 KFF Health Tracking Poll, approximately one in eight U.S. adults (12 percent) report having used a GLP-1 agonist.
Usage rates are notably higher among individuals with chronic health conditions: 43 percent of adults with diabetes, 25 percent with heart disease, and 22 percent of those who have been diagnosed as overweight or obese in the past five years have taken one of these medication.
Now, emerging research suggests they may also offer significant neurological benefits.
A stock image of woman injecting a Semaglutide Pen in her stomach.
A stock image of woman injecting a Semaglutide Pen in her stomach.
JNemchinova/iStock / Getty Images Plus
Lower Stroke Mortality in Ozempic Users
The first study, led by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, analyzed stroke outcomes among patients taking Ozempic. The team compared data from two large sources: the University of Wisconsin's health system and a global health collaborative.
Among more than two million stroke patients from the global dataset, those on Ozempic were found to have a dramatically lower initial death rate—just 5.26 percent compared to 21.61 percent for non-users.
Long-term survival rates also favored Ozempic users, with a 77.5 percent survival rate versus 30.95 percent for those not on the drug.
The university's own data mirrored this trend: stroke mortality among Ozempic users was less than 5 percent, compared to more than 26 percent in non-users.
Could Ozempic Reduce the Risk of Stroke?
A second study, also from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, looked at whether Ozempic could lower the chance of experiencing a stroke in the first place.
Researchers analyzed emergency department records nationwide, identifying individuals likely using Ozempic and comparing their stroke incidence rates.
The study found that potential Ozempic users had significantly lower odds of suffering a stroke.
The research team now hopes to confirm these findings using pharmacy records, which would more precisely track who is prescribed the drug.
Brain Bleed Protection and Cognitive Benefits
The final study, conducted by the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, extended the investigation to brain hemorrhages—both spontaneous bleeds and those caused by aneurysms.
The researchers examined the health record of patients who had experienced a stroke or hemorrhage for up to two years after the event in question.
Their analysis indicated that GLP-1 agonists were associated with reduced risks of cognitive decline, seizures, repeat hemorrhages and death.
"This research could introduce a new perspective to the discussion of preventing and mitigating the devastating effects of stroke and related brain injuries," paper author and neurosurgeon Dr. Matias Costa said in a statement.
A Promising Frontier for GLP-1 Drugs
Dr. Ahmed Elbayomy, a research fellow in neurological surgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and lead author on two of the studies said in a statement: "More research is certainly needed, but seeing the potential protection offered by these medications is a fascinating finding."
As use of semaglutide-based drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy continues to expand, the possibility that they might also protect the brain could usher in a new era of neurological prevention—offering more than just metabolic benefits.
Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about GLP-1 agonists? Let us know via health@newsweek.com.
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