Drugs

Researchers Find Alzheimer’s Potential in Semaglutide

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have found that semaglutide, a popular diabetes and weight-loss drug, may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in people with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). The findings, published in the latest issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, were consistent across different subgroups, including obesity status, gender and age, the researchers say.

The study, led by professor Rong Xu of Case Western’s biomedical informatics department, analyzed the electronic health records of nearly one million U.S. patients with T2D over a three-year period. Using a statistical method designed to simulate a randomized clinical trial, the researchers say they discovered that patients prescribed semaglutide had a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those taking seven other anti-diabetic medications, including other drugs targeting glucagon-like peptide receptors.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s bloclbusters Wegovy and Ozempic, helps regulate blood sugar and decreases hunger in T2D patients. While preclinical studies have indicated that semaglutide may protect against neurodegeneration and inflammation in the brain, this study adds crucial support from patient data, Xu said. However, she cautioned that while the findings are promising, further research is necessary to establish firm conclusions. “Our results indicate that randomized clinical trials are needed to fully explore semaglutide’s potential as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease,” she added.

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome