Diabetes Drugs Linked to Lower Risk of Dementia and Parkinson’s, Study Finds

IAN ROGERS

A recent study published in the September 2024 issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggests that a class of diabetes drugs known as sodiumglucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may lower the risk of developing dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

SGLT2 inhibitors, also known as glifozins, help reduce blood sugar by prompting the kidneys to eliminate excess glucose through urine. The study, conducted by Minyoung Lee, MD, PhD, from Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, is particularly encouraging as it shows a potential protective effect of these drugs against neurodegenerative conditions, which are becoming more common as the population ages.

“Neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s are on the rise, especially among people with diabetes, who face an increased risk of cognitive impairment.

It’s promising to see that SGLT2 inhibitors may offer some protection,” said Dr. Lee.

Study Overview

The retrospective study focused on people with type 2 diabetes in South Korea who began taking diabetes medication between 2014 and

2019. Participants using SGLT2 inhibitors were compared to those taking other oral diabetes drugs, with both groups matched for age, health conditions, and diabetes complications. The participants were monitored to track the development of dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

• Total participants: 358,862

• Average age: 58

• Total cases of dementia/Parkinson’s: 6,837

• Follow-up duration: 2 years for SGLT2 inhibitors, 4 years for other drugs

Key Findings

• Alzheimer’s disease: Those on SGLT2 inhibitors had an incidence rate of 39.7 cases per 10,000 person-years, compared to 63.7 cases for those on other diabetes drugs.

• Vascular dementia:

Incidence rates were 10.6 cases per 10,000 for SGLT2 users versus 18.7 cases for others.

• Parkinson’s disease: The incidence rate was 9.3 cases per 10,000 for those on SGLT2 drugs compared to 13.7 cases for others.

After adjusting for factors such as blood pressure, glucose levels, and cholesterol, the study found that SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with a 20% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and a 30% reduced risk of vascular dementia.

The Impact of Missed Super Contributions

Dr. Lee noted that further research is needed to confrm these fndings over a longer period, as some participants could still develop these diseases beyond the study’s timeline. However, the current results are encouraging and point to the potential of SGLT2 inhibitors in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

The study was funded by various organizations, including the Korea Health Technology R&D Project, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, and Yonsei University College of Medicine.

For more information on brain health, visit BrainandLife.org, the American Academy of Neurology’s resource for patients and caregivers.