GLP-1 drug akin to Ozempic showed no benefits for Parkinson’s disease

A drug for treating diabetes similar to popular weight-loss medicines such as Ozempic did not show any benefits for people with Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study. 

Researchers conducted a double-blind, randomised trial on more than 190 people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. 

Half of the participants received a weekly injection of two milligrams of the drug exenatide, which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist similar to medicines such as Ozempic or Wegovy.

The other half of the study participants received a placebo. 

At the end of the trial, the researchers found no improvement in symptoms or brain imaging after 96 weeks of treatment, according to the study’s findingspublished in The Lancet.

“The results of this trial have been eagerly anticipated, and the negative results will be a major disappointment to patients affected by Parkinson’s disease and the Parkinson’s disease research community,” Thomas Foltynie, a professor at University College London (UCL) and the study’s lead author, said in a statement. 

“It is not yet clear whether there may be a subgroup of people with Parkinson’s disease who may get benefit from the use of exenatide,” he added.

He said that there will be more research to see if for example, people with “pre-diabetes” might “predict a better response to exenatide”.

Exploring the potential of weight-loss drugs

Previous small trials have suggested that these medications could have potential benefits for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Exenatide, marketed as Byetta, is mainly used to help people with Type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar levels, according to the European Medicines Agency.

These drugs work by enhancing insulin secretion and slowing digestion, which can reduce food intake and appetite.

Exenatide was the first GLP-1 drug approved by US regulators for treating diabetes in 2005. This class of drugs is now also used in some cases to treat obesity.

Trials have also looked at their potential to help patients with a wide range of conditions ranging from heart disease to opioid overdose and alcohol intoxication.