Neurodegeneration and Stroke After Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in Patients With Diabetes and Obesity

Abstract

Importance: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, provide cardiometabolic benefits to patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity, but their potential benefits in mitigating neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases remain unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the association of semaglutide and tirzepatide with the incidence of dementia, Parkinson disease, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and all-cause mortality compared with other antidiabetic drugs in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Design, setting, and participants: This retrospective cohort study analyzed electronic health record-based data from the TriNetX US network (December 1, 2017, to June 30, 2024) in adults aged 40 years or older with type 2 diabetes and obesity initiating semaglutide, tirzepatide, or other antidiabetic drugs, excluding those with prior neurodegenerative or cerebrovascular diseases. Propensity score matching was used to balance the baseline characteristics.

Exposures: Patients treated with antidiabetic drugs were categorized as GLP-1RA (semaglutide or tirzepatide) or other antidiabetic drug (biguanides, sulfonylureas, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and α-glucosidase inhibitors) users.

Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcomes were the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases (dementia, Parkinson disease, and mild cognitive impairment) and cerebrovascular (stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage) diseases, while the secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs.

Results: A total of 60 860 adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity were included, with 30 430 each in the GLP-1RA group (mean [SD] age, 57.9 [9.9] years; 50.2% female) and the other antidiabetic drug group (mean [SD] age, 58.0 [10.8] years; 51.4% female) after propensity score matching. During a 7-year follow-up, GLP-1RA users had a lower risk of dementia (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.50-0.81), stroke (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.70-0.93), and all-cause mortality (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.63-0.78), with no significant differences in the risk of Parkinson disease or intracerebral hemorrhage. Subgroup analyses revealed greater benefits in patients aged 60 years or older, women, and patients with a body mass index of 30 to 40.

Conclusions and relevance: In this cohort study, the use of GLP-1RAs semaglutide and tirzepatide was associated with a lower risk of dementia, stroke, and all-cause mortality in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. These findings suggest potential neuroprotective and cerebrovascular benefits of GLP-1RAs beyond glycemic control, warranting further trials to confirm these outcomes.