A recent study from South Korea has shown that the use of certain type 2 diabetes drugs, known as SGLT2 inhibitors, is associated with a lower risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The study, conducted by Minyoung Lee, MD, PhD, and her colleagues at Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, builds on previous research suggesting a link between type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. Lee hypothesized that the unique pharmacological action of SGLT2 inhibitors, which increase urinary glucose excretion and elevate ketone bodies in the body, might make them particularly beneficial in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Consultant neurologist Steve Allder, MD, who was not involved in the study, suggested that the neuroprotective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors may involve cardiovascular, metabolic, and cellular effects. By reducing common risk factors associated with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, such as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, obesity, hypertension, and heart failure, SGLT2 inhibitors could help prevent cerebrovascular damage and neurodegeneration. The study analyzed data on over 350,000 participants with type 2 diabetes, matching those taking SGLT2 inhibitors with those on other antidiabetes medications. The analysis showed a significant reduction in the risk of developing all-cause dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia in the group taking SGLT2 inhibitors.
Neurologist Daniel Truong, MD, who was also not involved in the research, noted the surprising finding that the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors were more pronounced in younger populations. The study authors emphasized the potential benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes taking SGLT2 inhibitors, as they are at increased risk of neurological diseases. They cautioned, however, that the study is observational and further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of reduced risk. Lee explained that the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on neurodegenerative diseases may involve attenuating the degenerative process and delaying the onset of dementia, rather than completely preventing it.
Future research is needed to elucidate the mechanism behind the observed reduction in risk associated with SGLT2 inhibitors. Lee mentioned that she is conducting research using a mouse model of dementia associated with metabolic disorders to explore how these drugs positively affect neurodegenerative diseases. While previous studies have assessed the potential of SGLT2 inhibitors using nationwide databases from a broad perspective, Lee’s current work focuses on mechanistic studies to understand these effects in more detail. This research suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors may hold promise in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative conditions in individuals with type 2 diabetes, but further studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand the underlying mechanisms.
