The Diabetes Drug Liraglutide Prevents Degenerative Processes in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, most likely linked to an impairment of insulin signaling in the brain. The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) facilitates insulin signaling, and novel long-lasting GLP-1 analogs, such as liraglutide, are on the market as diabetes therapeutics. GLP-1 has been shown to have neuroprotective properties in vitro and in vivo . Here we tested the effects of peripherally injected liraglutide in an Alzheimer mouse model, APP swe /PS1 ΔE9 (APP/PS1). Liraglutide was shown to cross the blood–brain barrier in an acute study. Liraglutide was injected for 8 weeks at 25 nmol/kg body weight i.p. once daily in 7-month-old APP/PS1 and wild-type littermate…

• AS
  Alzheimer's Society
• HS
  Henry Smith Charity
• UU
  Ulster University