Recent study findings have suggested that the rapidly expanding family of GLP-1 medications, which includes Ozempic and Wegovy, is also demonstrating early promise in treating brain-related ailments such as mental health issues, Alzheimer's disease, and even Parkinson's disease after being successful in treating diabetes and obesity.
In a trial, Lixisenatide was found to lessen the progression of tremors and slow movement, hailed as a "significant step forward" for treating the disease.
Ozempic-like Injections Could Prevent Parkinson's Disease
Under the brand name Lyxumia, scientists think it might protect the brain and lessen the harm caused by the disease.
Around 156 participants who had recently received a Parkinson's diagnosis participated in the study.
While the other half received a placebo in addition to their regular medicine, the other half received daily injections of the approved diabetes treatment.
After a full year, the motor symptoms of those on lixisenatide medication slowed down and even showed some indications of improvement, whereas the other group's problems continued to progress.
According to charities, the results were "very positive" and would give real hope to the 18,000 patients diagnosed in the UK annually.
Dr. Richard Wyse, director of clinical development at Cure Parkinson's, said he was happy to see the extremely positive, revolutionary clinical outcome of the lixisenatide trial, which might have significant value for people with Parkinson's.
The drug belongs to the class of medications known as GLP-1R agonists, which also includes Wegovy and Ozempic, and has drawn attention from all over the world for its ability to aid in weight loss.
They function by imitating insulin release from the pancreas, which aids in the body's cells' absorption of glucose, which is eventually converted into energy. This effect resembles a naturally occurring gut hormone produced following a meal.
Scientists repurposed the drug that was previously used to treat type 2 diabetes based on established conditions between the two illnesses.
According to earlier studies, people with diabetes have a 40% increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease, which also tends to be more aggressive in these patients.
Meanwhile, it has been discovered that people taking diabetes medications had a lower chance of getting the neurological condition.
Experts Show Confidence Despite Lack of Evidence
The principal researchers of the trial, Professors Wassilios Meissner and Olivier Rascol of Toulouse University Hospital, expressed confidence that the results will be translated into practical therapies.
They said that for 30 years, they have been trying to understand how to slow the decline associated with Parkinson's disease over time.
"In this context, the positive results of the Lixipark phase 2 trial showing less progression of motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease over a year constitute a significant step forward in the future management of the disease."
The professors added that they look forward to confirming these encouraging results and translating such findings into clinical practice.
Two months after the end of treatment, the outcomes were consistent, as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Similar to other weight-loss drugs, nausea affected nearly half of the users (46 percent), and vomiting affected 13% of them.
Masud Husain, an Oxford University professor of neurology, stated in response to the findings that the results of this trial are encouraging for people with Parkinson's disease.
Husain claimed that after a year, patients who were on the drug were significantly better off in their movements than those who were not on the medication.
However, he noted that the findings do not provide conclusive evidence that the drug has a protective effect on the brain to slow disease progression effectively.
Professor David Dexter, Director of Research at Parkinson's UK, said that the most significant part of these results is the small improvement in the clinical measurement of motor symptoms in those receiving lixisenatide.
He stated from their 12-month study that whether the drug is slowing the condition's progression is hard to say. He noted that a longer trial could be able to show this and could be a logical next step.
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