The use of certain drugs commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes may also have benefits in lowering the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. A recent large cohort study conducted in South Korea revealed that individuals who took a certain type of type 2 diabetes drug, known as SGLT2 inhibitors, had a decreased risk of developing these neurodegenerative conditions. The study, led by Minyoung Lee, MD, PhD, of Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, aimed to explore the potential benefits of these drugs in reducing the risk of neurological diseases.
SGLT2 inhibitors are a relatively new type of diabetes treatment that not only help lower blood sugar levels but also increase urinary glucose excretion, leading to reduced insulin levels and elevated ketone bodies in the body. Ketones are known to be beneficial metabolites for the nervous system, which led researchers to hypothesize that these drugs could be particularly beneficial in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Steve Allder, MD, a consultant neurologist at Re:Cognition Health, emphasized that the neuroprotective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors are likely multifaceted, involving cardiovascular, metabolic, and cellular effects.
The study analyzed data from over 358,000 participants with type 2 diabetes who were either taking SGLT2 inhibitors or other oral antidiabetes medications between 2014 and 2019. The results showed a significant reduction in the risk of developing all-cause dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia in the group that took SGLT2 inhibitors. The study also noted a larger benefit seen in younger populations, suggesting potential benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes who are at increased risk of neurological diseases. However, the researchers caution that further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of these drugs in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative conditions.
Daniel Truong, MD, a neurologist not involved in the study, highlighted the importance of these findings in potentially helping prevent cerebrovascular damage and neurodegeneration by improving cardiovascular health. The study authors suggest that reducing the risk of dementia at a population level and changing social conditions could be considered a form of prevention, although individual expectations may vary. Minyoung Lee emphasized the need for further research to understand the mechanism behind the observed reduction in risk, indicating ongoing work using a mouse model of dementia associated with metabolic disorders to explore how SGLT2 inhibitors positively affect neurodegenerative diseases.
Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of using SGLT2 inhibitors in lowering the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest that these drugs may play a role in attenuating the degenerative process and delaying the onset of dementia, rather than preventing it entirely. As the global rate of neurodegenerative conditions continues to rise, further research in this area could pave the way for new strategies in managing and preventing these debilitating diseases.
