Researchers have discovered that SGLT2 inhibitors, a class of drugs used to treat diabetes, may also offer significant protection against neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s, shedding new light on potential dual benefits of these medications.
A groundbreaking study published in the journal Neurology has revealed that a class of diabetes drugs, known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors or gliflozins, may significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
The research, led by Minyoung Lee of Yonsei University College of Medicine in South Korea, focused on the potential neuroprotective benefits of these diabetes medications.
“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, and 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 against dementia and Parkinson’s disease,” Lee said in a news release.
The retrospective study analyzed data from individuals with type 2 diabetes who began taking medication between 2014 and 2019 in South Korea.
The researchers compared those on SGLT2 inhibitors with individuals using other oral diabetes drugs, ensuring both groups were matched for variables like age, health conditions and complications from diabetes. The participants on SGLT2 inhibitors were followed for an average of two years, while those on other diabetes drugs were tracked for an average of four years.
Among the 358,862 participants, who had an average age of 58, a total of 6,837 individuals developed either dementia or Parkinson’s disease during the study period. Notably, the incidence rate of Alzheimer’s disease for those taking SGLT2 inhibitors was significantly lower — 39.7 cases per 10,000 person-years compared to 63.7 cases per 10,000 for those on other diabetes medications. Similarly, incidence rates for vascular dementia and Parkinson’s disease were also lower among the SGLT2 inhibitor group.
After adjusting for various factors that could influence the risk of these neurodegenerative diseases, such as blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and kidney function, SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with a 20% reduced risk of both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, they were linked with a 30% reduced risk of vascular dementia.
“The results are generally consistent even after adjusting for factors like blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and kidney function. More research is needed to validate the long-term validity of these findings,” Lee added.
While this study offers promising insights, it’s important to note its limitation concerning the follow-up period, which was less than five years. This means some participants could potentially develop dementia or Parkinson’s disease later.
The implications of these findings are significant, highlighting the dual benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors not only for managing diabetes but also for potentially mitigating the risks of debilitating neurodegenerative diseases.