A recent study has found that a particular class of drugs used to treat diabetes, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, may be linked to a reduced risk of both dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
The findings were published in the September 18, 2024, edition of Neurology (citation below), the journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Neuroprotective Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors
The research, led by Dr. Minyoung Lee from Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, highlights the potential neuroprotective effects of these drugs.
“We know that these neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s disease are common, and the number of cases is growing as the population ages. People with diabetes are at increased risk of cognitive impairment, so it’s encouraging to see that this class of drugs may provide some protection,” said Dr. Lee.
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How SGLT2 Inhibitors Work
SGLT2 inhibitors, also called gliflozins, work by helping the kidneys expel excess sugar from the body through urine, thus lowering blood sugar levels.
In this study, Dr. Lee and colleagues investigated the long-term effects of these drugs on brain health.
Study Design and Participants
The research involved a review of data from individuals with type 2 diabetes in South Korea who began taking diabetes medication between 2014 and 2019.
The study compared two groups:
- One group took SGLT2 inhibitors.
- The other took different oral diabetes medications.
The participants were matched based on factors like age and other health conditions to ensure the two groups were similar.
The average follow-up period was two years for those on SGLT2 inhibitors and four years for those on other medications.
Key Findings
The study included 358,862 participants, with an average age of 58. During the research, 6,837 people developed dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
- Alzheimer’s Disease
For Alzheimer’s disease, the incidence rate among those taking SGLT2 inhibitors was 39.7 cases per 10,000 person-years, compared to 63.7 cases for those on other diabetes drugs.
- Vascular Dementia
In the case of vascular dementia, the incidence rate was 10.6 cases per 10,000 for those using SGLT2 inhibitors, versus 18.7 for those on other drugs.
- Parkinson’s Disease
For Parkinson’s disease, the numbers were 9.3 cases per 10,000 person-years for those on SGLT2 inhibitors, compared to 13.7 for those using alternative diabetes treatments.
Reduced Risk After Adjustments
After controlling for various factors, including diabetes complications and other medications, researchers found that SGLT2 inhibitors were linked to a 20% lower risk of developing both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Additionally, these drugs were associated with a 30% reduced risk of vascular dementia.
Need for Further Research
“The results are generally consistent even after adjusting for factors like blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and kidney function,” Dr. Lee said.
However, she cautioned that more research is needed to confirm the long-term effects of these drugs. Since the follow-up period was relatively short, some participants could still develop dementia or Parkinson’s disease later on.
Study Support and Funding
The study received support from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project, funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare of Korea, as well as Severance Hospital and Yonsei University College of Medicine.
Citation
Hae Kyung Kim, MD, Geert Jan Biessels, MD, PhD, Min Heui Yu, MS, Namki Hong, MD, PhD, Yong-ho Lee, MD, PhD, Byung-Wan Lee, MD, PhD, Eun Seok Kang, MD, PhD, Bong-Soo Cha, MD, PhD, Eun Jip Lee, MD, PhD, Minyoung Lee, MD, PhD. “SGLT2 Inhibitor Use and Risk of Dementia and Parkinson Disease Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.” Neurology. October 22, 2024; 103(8). DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000209805.