GLP-1 weight-loss injections may do more than help people shed pounds, with one doctor saying they could also lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by helping to “slow cognitive decline”.
Discussion around GLP-1 medications has often centred on their long-term effects, but a growing body of research is now pointing to possible benefits that extend beyond weight management alone. That said, the evidence so far is still evolving, and researchers stress that the strongest findings are based on observational studies rather than proof that the drugs prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr Dominic Greenyer, director and GP at The Health Suite, said these drugs are increasingly being considered in wider conversations around healthy ageing and longevity.
According to him, one of the most notable areas of interest is their potential connection to a reduced likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease, something that could mark a major breakthrough in efforts to better manage the condition.
Dr Greenyer said: “Weight-loss medications have been found to reduce the build-up of amyloid plaques, the sticky proteins linked to Alzheimer’s, while also supporting the survival of neurons. This may help slow the cognitive decline that so often comes with age.”
He went on to explain that one of the body’s key protective systems is the Nrf2 pathway. This mechanism helps activate antioxidants, limit inflammation and repair cell damage, all of which are associated with slowing aspects of the ageing process.
He added: “GLP-1 therapies have been shown to support the activation of Nrf2, which may help explain why these weight-loss shots are now being studied for longevity and healthy ageing, rather than just for obesity and diabetes.”
Dr Greenyer also said GLP-1 treatments may help address what he described as the “root causes of metabolic ageing” — the gradual shift in how the body processes energy and nutrients over time.
Although he stressed that the science is still developing and that these medications are not a cure-all, the benefits for the millions of people already taking them may be broader than many first thought. In 2025 and 2026, several studies reported lower dementia or Alzheimer’s risk among people taking GLP-1 drugs, especially semaglutide, but the results remain early and need confirmation in more long-term randomized trials.
Those trials are already underway. Novo Nordisk has said its large phase 3 evoke and evoke+ studies of oral semaglutide in people with early Alzheimer’s disease did not show efficacy in slowing disease progression, and the company discontinued the planned extension phase after those topline results. That means the latest evidence is mixed: the drugs may still have potential in broader brain-health research, but they are not yet established as an Alzheimer’s treatment or prevention strategy.
Separately, a recent Gallup survey found that 11 percent of U.S. adults now say they currently use a GLP-1 medication for weight loss, up from 3 percent in 2024.
The study was carried out between May 28 and June 5 and drew on responses collected from 5,065 adults across the US.