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GLP-1 receptor agonists and the Future of Parkinson’s

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Written By: Renee Rouleau- M.S. Neuroscience and Bridges for Parkinson’s Medical Science Advisor


We’ve all heard of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Exenatide and Monjouro because they’ve been advertised for weight loss! But these GLP-1 medications  may have a few tricks up their sleeves beyond slimming waistlines, particularly  when it comes to Parkinson’s (PD). Recent research indicates that these medications could have a role to play in supporting brain health and possibly in the future treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD).  However, before we go on,  a quick word of caution: while this early research is exciting, long-term studies are limited, and much of this potential is still in the experimental stage. Still, the science is intriguing and worth exploring — so let’s take a closer look.

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. Medications  that act on GLP-1 receptors improve how the body processes sugar and can reduce inflammation (Bendotti et al., 2022). While that might sound like a benefit limited to diabetes, GLP-1 receptors are also found in the brain. Emerging  research suggests that activating these receptors may  help protect neurons, reduce toxic protein buildup, and improve communication between brain cells - all of which are major  challenges in Parkinson’s Disease (Kalinderi et al., 2024).


So, how does this connect to Parkinson’s? One of the hallmarks of PD is the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons, resulting in motor symptoms and cognitive changes commonly seen in the disease. Early studies in both animals and humans have shown that GLP-1 drugs may slow this neuronal loss, while  improving brain metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress (Hölscher et al., 2018; Hölscher, 2020). —all of which are crucial for maintaining healthy brain function (Hölscher et al., 2018; Hölscher, 2020).


Some small clinical trials using drugs such as Exenatide have reported improvements in motor symptoms and daily functioning for people with Parkinson’s, raising  optimism about their potential role in treatment (Aviles-Olmos et al., 2013; Athauda et al., 2017). However, there are a few studies that have found no clear evidence  that these drugs improve  motor symptoms, confirming  that more research is needed to clarify  the effects of the drug on overall PD symptoms (Vijiaratnam et al., 2025).   


Parkinson’s also affects thinking, mood, and energy levels in addition to  dopamine levels or motor symptoms. Because GLP-1 agonists act on the brain-gut axis, they may  help with non-motor symptoms such as  fatigue, memory issues, and even food cravings. (Kalinderi et al., 2024)! This makes them a potentially unique therapy that targets  both brain health and overall metabolic health—two areas closely  linked in PD. However,  these drugs are not yet approved for routine Parkinson’s treatment.  Larger, long-term trials are still needed to confirm their safety and effectiveness. So, it’s best not to think of them as a standard option just yet, unless prescribed for other conditions. Therefore, it’s not time to ask your doctor about Ozempic injections just yet unless you need them for other issues.


In closing, the research is promising. GLP-1 receptor agonists offer a compelling example of how medications developed for one condition can offer unexpected benefits  for another. In the case of  Parkinson’s Disease, these drugs highlight the value of looking beyond traditional dopamine therapies and symptom management and exploring ways to protect and support overall brain health. The future of Parkinson’s care may not only focus on easing symptoms but also slowing the progression of the  disease itself—and GLP-1 drugs could  play a key role in that shift.  


References:

Athauda, D., Maclagan, K., Skene, S. S., Bajwa-Joseph, M., Letchford, D., Chowdhury, K., Hibbert,

S., Budnik, N., Zampedri, L., Dickson, J., Li, Y., Aviles-Olmos, I., Warner, T. T., Limousin, P., Lees, A.

J., Greig, N. H., Tebbs, S., & Foltynie, T. (2017). Exenatide once weekly versus placebo in

Parkinson’s disease: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet,

390(10103), 1664–1675. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31585-4


Aviles-Olmos, I., Dickson, J., Kefalopoulou, Z., Djamshidian, A., Ell, P., Soderlund, T., Whitton, P.,

Wyse, R., Isaacs, T., Lees, A., Limousin, P., & Foltynie, T. (2013, June 3). Exenatide and the

treatment of patients with parkinson’s disease. The Journal of Clinical Investigation.


Bendotti, G., Montefusco, L., Lunati, M. E., Usuelli, V., Pastore, I., Lazzaroni, E., Assi, E., Seelam,

A. J., El Essawy, B., Jang, J., Loretelli, C., D’Addio, F., Berra, C., Ben Nasr, M., Zuccotti, G., &

Fiorina, P. (2022). The anti-inflammatory and immunological properties of GLP-1 receptor

agonists. Pharmacological Research, 182, 106320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106320 

Hölscher C. Novel dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists show neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease models. Neuropharmacol. 2018;136:251–259.

Hölscher, C. (2020). Brain insulin resistance: role in neurodegenerative disease and potential for targeting. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 29(4), 333–348. https://doi.org/10.1080/13543784.2020.1738383

Kalinderi, K., Papaliagkas, V., & Fidani, L. (2024). GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: A New Treatment in Parkinson's Disease. International journal of molecular sciences, 25(7), 3812. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073812

Vijiaratnam, N., Girges, C., Auld, G., McComish, R., King, A., Skene, S. S., Hibbert, S., Wong, A.,

Melander, S., Gibson, R., Matthews, H., Dickson, J., Carroll, C., Patrick, A., Inches, J., Silverdale,

M., Blackledge, B., Whiston, J., Hu, M., & Welch, J. (2025). Exenatide once a week versus

placebo as a potential disease-modifying treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease in the

UK: a phase 3, multicentre, double-blind, parallel-group, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

 
 
 
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