Type-2 diabetes increases the risk of cognitive impairment. Dulaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that is known to reduce cognitive impairment. The objective of this study is to analyze the effects of dulaglutide on cognitive impairment in type-2 diabetes.
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 371 sites across 24 countries. It included a total of 9,901 patients aged 50 years or more with established on newly diagnosed type-2 diabetes and additional cardiovascular risk factors. The participants were randomly divided into two groups; one group (n=4,949) was assigned to dulaglutide and the other (n=4,952) to placebo. The participants were followed every six months, with the main outcome being stroke, myocardial infection, or death. Cognitive function was assessed using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
The cognitive outcome occurred in 4.5 per 100 patient-years in participants who were assigned to dulaglutide, and 4.35 per 100 patient-years in participants who were assigned to placebo. After post-hoc adjustment, the hazard of cognitive impairment in the dulaglutide group was reduced by 14%.
The research concluded that long-term treatment of dulaglutide could be effective in reducing cognitive impairment in people with type-2 diabetes.
Ref: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(20)30173-3/fulltext
