Weight loss jabs have been hailed as revolutionary for obesity-related conditions (Image: Getty)
Weight loss jabs such as Wegovy may reduce risk of by easing inflammation in the brain, scientists say.
The drugs have been approved for the treatment of and type 2 , as well as for prevention of deadly heart problems in people who are overweight.
A major US study suggests their benefits may extend even further to conditions including , schizophrenia, pneumonia and .
Researchers analysed data from two million veterans including 215,000 who were taking weight loss jabs for treatment of diabetes.
Dr Ziyad Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist and kidney expert at John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital in Missouri, said: “Given the drugs’ newness and skyrocketing popularity, it is important to systematically examine their effects on all body systems – leaving no stone unturned – to understand what they do and what they don’t do.”
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The findings highlighted some “previously unrecognised benefits” including a reduced risk of seizures and addiction to substances such as , , stimulants and opioids.
People taking the weight-loss drugs also experienced lower risks of suicidal ideation, self-harm, bulimia and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.
And they had a reduced risk of neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Dr Al-Aly said: “Interestingly, GLP-1RA drugs act on receptors that are expressed in brain areas involved in impulse control, reward and addiction – potentially explaining their effectiveness in curbing appetite and addiction disorders.
“These drugs also reduce inflammation in the brain and result in weight loss; both these factors may improve brain health and explain the reduced risk of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.”
Writing in the journal Nature Medicine, the experts noted that the benefits of treatment were “modest” and reduced risk by around 10-20% for most conditions studied.
Dr Al-Aly added: “However, the modest effect does not negate the potential value of these drugs, especially for conditions where few effective treatment options exist, for example, dementia.
“This may also imply that these drugs are most beneficial when used in conjunction with other interventions, such as lifestyle changes or other medications.”
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Known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, the drugs work by mimicking hormones that regulate appetite. The study also highlighted some known side effects including increased risk of gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in rare cases paralysis of the stomach.
In rare cases, the drugs were also found to have negative effects on the pancreas and kidneys. Dr Al-Aly said: “GLP-1RA drugs can have broad health benefits. However, they are not without risks.
“Our findings underscore the possibility for wider applications for these medications but also highlight important risks that should be carefully monitored in people taking these drugs.”
Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly, an expert in clinical biochemistry and medicine at the University of Cambridge who was not involved with the research, said such studies needed to be “interpreted very cautiously”.
He added: “The people studied have not been randomly allocated to GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment, so any difference between those taking and not taking the class of drug could potentially be attributable to factors other than the drug.
“As the data comes from the Veterans Administration it is heavily skewed to older white males. That said , the study provides useful reassurance about the safety of this class of drugs.”