The surprising new effect scientists hope weight loss drugs will have on dementia

Health & Fitness
3 Jun 2025 • 10:16 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Clinical trials in 2025 are assessing 138 treatments for dementia and Alzheimer’s, an 11 per cent increase from the previous year, offering "hope" for prevention and treatment.
  • One trial is examining whether semaglutide, the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, can slow dementia progression.
  • Experts suggest 2025 could be a "landmark year" due to four drugs in large clinical trials that aim to prevent dementia, not just treat it.
  • The trials include drugs targeting amyloid protein build-up, a key characteristic of Alzheimer's, with the aim of providing treatments earlier to those with a genetic risk.
  • The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is reviewing donanemab and lecanemab, previously deemed not cost-effective, with a decision expected in the summer.

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