A recent study suggests that a group of diabetes medications might lower the risk of developing dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
A recent study suggests that a group of diabetes medications might lower the risk of developing dementia and Parkinson’s disease. This finding is detailed in a study published online in the September 18, 2024 issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
The research focused on sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, also referred to as gliflozins. These medications help reduce blood sugar levels by prompting the kidneys to eliminate sugar through urine.
“Neurodegenerative disorders like dementia and Parkinson’s disease are increasingly prevalent, particularly as the population ages. Additionally, individuals with diabetes are more susceptible to cognitive decline. Therefore, it’s promising to see that this medication class may offer some protection against these conditions,” explained study author Minyoung Lee, MD, PhD, from Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea.
This retrospective study examined individuals with type 2 diabetes who began using diabetes medications between 2014 and 2019 in South Korea. Participants on SGLT2 inhibitors were compared with those using other oral diabetes medications to ensure both groups were similar in terms of age, health conditions, and diabetes-related complications. The researchers then observed the participants to determine if they developed dementia or Parkinson’s disease. Participants using SGLT2 inhibitors were monitored for an average of two years, while those on alternative medications were followed for approximately four years.
Out of the 358,862 individuals with an average age of 58 years, 6,837 were diagnosed with dementia or Parkinson’s disease during the study period.
For Alzheimer’s disease, the rate of incidence among users of SGLT2 inhibitors was 39.7 cases per 10,000 person-years, compared to 63.7 cases among those using other diabetes treatments. Person-years take into account both the number of participants and the duration of their involvement in the study.
For vascular dementia, which is related to blood vessel issues, the incidence was 10.6 cases per 10,000 for SGLT2 drug users versus 18.7 cases for other drug users.
When looking at Parkinson’s disease, the incidence rate was 9.3 cases per 10,000 among SGLT2 inhibitor users, in contrast to 13.7 cases for those on different medications.
When the researchers accounted for other variables influencing the risk of dementia and Parkinson’s disease, such as diabetes complications and medications, they determined that using SGLT2 inhibitors was linked to a 20% decrease in the risk of Alzheimer’s and a 20% decrease in Parkinson’s disease risk. Additionally, users of these drugs had a 30% lower chance of developing vascular dementia.
“The findings remain consistent even after adjusting for factors like blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and kidney function,” Lee stated. “Further studies are necessary to confirm the long-term implications of these results.”
Lee mentioned that, since participants were monitored for less than five years at most, it is possible that some may later develop dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
This study received support from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project, funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare of Korea, as well as from Severance Hospital and Yonsei University College of Medicine.
