Many people and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease are watching for new breakthroughs that might slow the disease or improve quality of life. This week, there was important news about a medication called semaglutide, a treatment (known as a GLP-1 agonist) already used for diabetes and weight management.
Researchers had hoped it might also help people with Alzheimer’s disease, but two large clinical trials, conducted across 40 countries, did not show meaningful benefits for slowing cognitive decline over the 3-year study period.
What was studied?
Semaglutide belongs to a group of medicines called GLP-1 agonists. These drugs can help control blood sugar and may reduce inflammation in the body. Because inflammation and vascular health are connected to brain function, scientists wanted to explore whether this medication could also make a difference for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Two major studies followed more than 3,800 participants with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. With a large number of people involved, the trials were large enough to detect benefits if the medication had a clear effect during treatment.
What were the results?
The studies found no meaningful improvement in slowing memory or thinking decline after about a year and a half of treatment for individuals living with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s. That being said, there are still many unanswered questions. For instance, researchers don’t know what the impact of longer treatment might be, whether starting treatment earlier could be effective, or if there is a very specific group of people (not well-represented in the trials) that are still likely to benefit. So more research is still needed to ultimately understand whether GLP-1s can have an impact on cognitive decline.
Why negative results still matter
While this news may feel discouraging, it’s still progress in terms of helping us understand the disease. Every clinical trial – whether the outcome is positive or negative – helps the scientific community learn what works, what doesn’t, and where to focus next.
For families affected by Alzheimer’s, this is an important reminder that there is no single solution on the horizon yet, but the momentum in research is stronger than ever, and valuable knowledge comes from every study.
While we wait for more answers, there is encouraging evidence that our daily lifestyle choices and cardiovascular health still matter for brain health. Large studies, including the U.S. POINTER study released earlier in 2025, show that healthy habits can help protect memory and thinking and support overall well-being. These habits include:
- Regular physical activity
- Eating nutritious foods (e.g., MIND Diet)
- Social engagement and connection
- Staying mentally active
- Getting good sleep
- Managing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity
- Reducing smoking and limiting alcohol use
These habits support the brain’s ability to stay resilient and continue to be important for long-term brain health.
Looking Ahead
Even though this particular treatment didn’t show benefits in these two related trials, the research community continues to look ahead. Science in the area of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders is moving quickly, with ongoing trials exploring different pathways, earlier intervention, and new ideas for prevention.
If you or a loved one is living with memory changes, talk with your care team about both medical treatments and lifestyle approaches to protect brain health. You’re not alone, and there are important steps we can take together today while research continues to search for better answers tomorrow.
