A new study published in The Lancet found that a drug similar to Ozempic did not slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers randomly assigned 194 patients with Parkinson’s to take exenatide, a type 2 diabetes treatment, for 96 weeks. Despite earlier hints of potential benefits, including laboratory and animal studies showing protection against neuron damage, the trial showed no benefit or slowing of the disease in humans.
The study’s results are disappointing for patients with Parkinson’s, who suffer from symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance. While medications and deep brain stimulation can help manage symptoms, there is currently no treatment that has been shown to slow the progression of the disease.
Experts say that previous studies suggesting a potential link between GLP-1 drugs and slower disease progression in Parkinson’s patients were promising but ultimately did not translate to human trials. The lack of clarity on how exenatide works in the brain is also cited as a reason for the study’s failure.
The finding may have implications for researchers exploring other uses of GLP-1 drugs, such as Alzheimer’s disease prevention or treatment.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/health/parkinsons-disease-exenatide-byetta.html