Key Takeaways
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic do not slow Parkinson's disease, study finds
The trial showed no benefit in symptoms or brain scans
Experts say more research is needed before using these drugs for brain diseases
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 5, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- Hopes that GLP-1 drugs such as and could help slow Parkinson's disease have taken an hit.
A new study found that a drug in the same class called exenatide, marketed as , had no effect on slowing the disease or easing its symtoms.
The trial, published Feb. 4 in , followed 194 people with Parkinson's disease for 96 weeks.聽
Patients were randomly assigned to inject either Byetta or a placebo once a week. The results? Disappointing.
"We found no evidence to support exenatide as a disease-modifying treatment for people with Parkinson's disease," researchers wrote.聽
There was no improvement in symptoms; no slowing of brain degeneration; no benefit on brain scans; no positive effect.
69传媒淚t69传媒檚 hugely disappointing,69传媒 of University College London, who led the trial, told The New York Times. 69传媒淲e were expecting we would come through and we would get a positive result.69传媒
For years now, researchers have hoped that GLP-1 drugs, which have revolutionized treatment of diabetes and weight loss, could also protect neurons and slow brain disease.
In fact, early animal lab studies and smaller clinical trials suggested potential benefits, The Times reported.
But this larger study offered no clear evidence that GLP-1 drugs work for Parkinson's.聽
69传媒淭his is a sobering moment,69传媒 , a Parkinson69传媒檚 disease expert at the University of Florida and national medical adviser for the Parkinson69传媒檚 Foundation, told The Times. 69传媒淭his is a really well done study and it came up empty-handed.69传媒
The study could also impact research into GLP-1 drugs for , as some researchers have been testing whether these medications might help slow cognitive decline.聽
But Parkinson69传媒檚 specialists warn that without a clear understanding of how GLP-1 drugs work in the brain, future studies may be just as disappointing.
69传媒淚 wouldn69传媒檛 do another study like this unless you learn what is the target,69传媒 , a Parkinson69传媒檚 researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, told The Times. 69传媒淲hat is the biochemistry you are trying to change in the brain? How do these drugs work, anyway?69传媒
More information
The has more on the disease, causes, signs and more.
SOURCES: The New York Times, media report, Feb. 4, 2025; The Lancet, Feb. 4, 2025
What This Means For You
The study rules out GLP-1 drugs as a potential treatment for Parkinson69传媒檚.
