Drugs like Ozempic have long transformed diabetes care, later drawing attention for their impact on weight loss. Now, researchers are exploring a surprising new question: could these medications also benefit the brain?
A new analysis by the American Academy of Neurology indicates that people with Type 2 diabetes who take GLP-1 medications may have a slightly lower risk of developing epilepsy. The findings have intrigued both neurologists and diabetes specialists, though experts caution that the results are preliminary.
Published in Neurology this month, the study examined health data from more than 450,000 U.S. adults with Type 2 diabetes and no prior history of seizures. Half of the participants were prescribed GLP-1 drugs, including semaglutide, dulaglutide, or liraglutide, while the other half took DPP-4 inhibitors, also known as gliptins.
Over an average follow-up of five years, epilepsy developed in a small number of participants in both groups. However, those on GLP-1 medications showed a slightly lower incidence, a trend that persisted after accounting for other health factors.
After adjusting for age, blood pressure, heart disease, and other conditions that influence seizure risk, researchers found that GLP-1 users were 16% less likely to develop epilepsy than those taking 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, called the results “encouraging but preliminary.” He noted that people with diabetes have a higher risk of epilepsy later in life, and many patients respond poorly to existing treatments.
Researchers stressed that the study does not prove GLP-1 drugs prevent epilepsy. As an observational analysis, it only shows a correlation. Important factors, such as family history, genetics, and alcohol use, were not included. Prescription decisions may also have been influenced by cost, insurance coverage, or diabetes severity, potentially affecting the results.
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