Diabetes drug Ozempic is good not just for weight loss, study claims it even protects brain

Mental health benefits of Ozempic: According to the study results, people with Type 2 diabetes who use GLP-1 medications appear to have a modestly lower risk of developing epilepsy (Image: Pexels)

For years, drugs like Ozempic have been quietly reshaping diabetes care, later grabbing headlines for their dramatic impact on weight loss. Now, researchers are asking a new and unexpected question: Could these medications also be good for the brain?

According to a fresh analysis released by the American Academy of Neurology, people with Type 2 diabetes who use GLP-1 medications appear to have a modestly lower risk of developing epilepsy. It’s a finding that has caught the attention of neurologists and diabetes specialists alike, though they are quick to urge caution.

The research, published in the journal Neurology this month, analysed health data from more than 4,50,000 adults in the US. All participants had Type 2 diabetes and no prior history of epilepsy or seizures. Half were prescribed GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide, dulaglutide or liraglutide, while the other half were treated with a different class of medication known as DPP-4 inhibitors, often called gliptins.

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Over an average follow up of five years, epilepsy developed in a small number of participants in both groups. However, those taking GLP-1 drugs showed a slightly lower incidence, a difference that persisted even after researchers adjusted for other health factors

After accounting for age, blood pressure, heart disease and other conditions that can influence seizure risk, the researchers found that GLP-1 users were 16 percent less likely to develop epilepsy than those on DPP-4 inhibitors. Among the drugs studied, semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic — showed the strongest association with reduced risk.

Dr Edy Kornelius, the study’s lead author from Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan, described the results as encouraging but preliminary. People with diabetes are known to have a higher risk of epilepsy later in life, he noted, and many patients do not respond well to existing epilepsy treatments.

Despite the excitement, researchers are keen to emphasise what the study does not show. This was an observational analysis, meaning it can only highlight a link, not prove that GLP-1 drugs actively prevent epilepsy. Important details were also missing, including family history, genetic factors and alcohol use. Prescription choices may have been influenced by cost, insurance rules or how severe a person’s diabetes was, all of which could subtly skew results.

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What the study says:

GLP-1 drugs were linked to a modest reduction in epilepsy risk

Semaglutide showed the strongest association

The study followed participants for at least five years

Tirzepatide was not included, as it entered the market later

Randomised, long-term trials are still needed

FAQs on Ozempic

1. What is Ozempic used for?

Ozempic is primarily used to manage Type 2 diabetes and has been noted for its significant impact on weight loss.

2. How does Ozempic affect epilepsy risk?

A study found that people with Type 2 diabetes who use GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, have a modestly lower risk of developing epilepsy.

3. What are GLP-1 drugs?

GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide (Ozempic), dulaglutide, and liraglutide, are medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

4. What were the findings of the recent study on GLP-1 drugs and epilepsy?

The study found that GLP-1 users were 16 percent less likely to develop epilepsy compared to those on DPP-4 inhibitors, with semaglutide showing the strongest association.

5. Are there any limitations to the study on GLP-1 drugs and epilepsy?

Yes, the study was observational and cannot prove causation. It also lacked details on family history, genetic factors, and alcohol use. Further randomised, long-term trials are needed.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.