Two undergraduate medicine students at the University of Galway have led a major study examining how cardioprotective glucose-lowering therapies -medications that lower blood sugar and reduce the risk of heart disease in people with diabetes – affect the risk of developing dementia.
The research has been published in JAMA Neurology. The new study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 clinical trials involving more than 160,000 participants.
The researchers found that while most glucose-lowering therapies were not significantly associated with a reduction in dementia risk, one class of drugs – known as GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1Ras ) was linked to a significant reduction.
The research analysed data from 26 randomised controlled trials with a total of 164,531 participants. While glucose-lowering therapies as a whole did not significantly reduce dementia risk, GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1Ras ) were linked to a 45% lower risk of dementia. Dr Catriona Reddin, senior author, researcher at the University of Galway and Registrar in Geriatric Medicine at HSE West North West, said: “This research represents a significant contribution to our understanding of how some diabetes medications may impact brain health. Diabetes is a known risk factor for dementia, but whether glucose-lowering therapies can help prevent cognitive decline has remained unclear. Our findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists, in particular, may have a protective effect on brain health.”
Allie Seminer, a third-year student from New York and co-lead author, said: “Being involved in a study of this scale as an undergraduate has been an incredible experience. What stood out for me was the sense of responsibility – knowing that our work could help shape the understanding of a global health issue. It was incredibly motivating to be part of a team working at this level, and it has shown me how research is an essential part of becoming a well-rounded doctor. It highlights how research is not just an add-on to our degree but an essential part of how we learn to advance medical knowledge.”
Alfredi Mulihano, a third-year student from Dundalk and co-lead author, said “being part of this study has completely changed how I see my role as a future doctor.
“It brought together clinical insight, data analysis, and critical thinking in a way that lectures alone cannot. The experience opened my eyes to the impact we can have beyond the bedside – contributing to knowledge that could change how diseases like dementia are prevented.”
