More than 55 million people worldwide lived with dementia in 2020. By 2030, that number could hit 78 million. Dementia includes conditions like Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Sadly, there’s still no cure.
Some dementia risks, like age or genetics, are unchangeable. Others, like lifestyle and diabetes, can be controlled. Eating healthy, exercising, and managing diabetes may lower your chances of developing dementia.
Recent research now explores another possible way to help—using Ozempic to lower your dementia risk. A new study led by Dr. Rong Xu at Case Western Reserve University found that semaglutide, the key ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, might reduce dementia risk in type 2 diabetics.
The team studied data from 1.7 million Americans with type 2 diabetes. Over three years, they monitored how many developed Alzheimer’s-related dementias, including vascular dementia.
Semaglutide stood out. People taking it had a much lower chance of developing vascular dementia than those on other diabetes drugs, like insulin or metformin. While the study can’t prove cause and effect, the link is promising.
Semaglutide targets many risk factors at once: obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It also reduces inflammation, which plays a big role in dementia. That makes Ozempic a potential tool for dementia prevention in people with type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Xu says more studies are needed. Her team plans to look into similar drugs like tirzepatide, found in Mounjaro and Zepbound, to see if they offer the same benefits.
Experts not involved in the study also weighed in. Dr. Mir Ali, a bariatric surgeon, believes the anti-inflammatory effects of weight loss may explain the dementia benefits. Dr. Manisha Parulekar, a geriatrics expert, noted that semaglutide improves glucose control and brain health—two important factors in preventing cognitive decline.
In the end, the Ozempic dementia risk connection is worth exploring further. With more studies, it could offer hope to millions facing this growing health crisis.
