GLP-1 Agonists Show Promise for Parkinson's Disease in Meta-Analysis
Background
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating, progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which no proven disease-modifying therapies currently exist. Emerging research suggests a critical link between altered cerebral glucose metabolism and insulin resistance and the underlying pathophysiology of PD. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) as a potential therapeutic strategy for PD.
Study Design
Researchers conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis, identifying randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in patients with Parkinson's disease. They systematically searched major databases (e.g., PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science) for studies published up to late 2025, applying strict inclusion criteria such as adult PD patients, GLP-1RA intervention, and motor outcome measures. Ultimately, 7 RCTs with a total of 1,250 patients were included, with data independently extracted by two reviewers. The included trials evaluated various GLP-1RAs such as exenatide (2 mg weekly), liraglutide (1.8 mg daily), and semaglutide (0.5-2.0 mg weekly), with treatment durations ranging from 24 to 52 weeks and an average follow-up of 36 weeks.