[Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) mimetics: a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease?]

Rev Neurol. 2014 Dec 1;59(11):517-24.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) mimetics are an established therapeutic option for patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the properties of the GLP-1 mimetics go beyond the strict metabolic control of the patients with diabetes. The neuroprotective effects of GLP-1 have been shown in recent studies opening new areas of research in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), among others. AIM. Systematic review including experimental studies and human clinical trials demonstrating the neuroprotective properties of GLP-1 mimetics in AD.

Development: The experimental studies that have been conducted in rodent models of AD have demonstrated the neuroprotective properties of GLP-1 in the central nervous system reducing beta-amyloid plaques, the oxidative stress and the inflammatory brain response. Clinical trials in patients with cognitive impairment and AD testing the effects of GLP-1 analogs have recently started.

Conclusion: The GLP-1 analogs have neuroprotective properties. Considering that type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia, the benefits of GLP-1 mimetics on cognition must be considered. Likewise, the GLP-1 mimetics represent a promising treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.

Title: Analogos del glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1): una nueva estrategia de tratamiento para la enfermedad de Alzheimer?

Introduccion. Los analogos del glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) son una opcion terapeutica establecida en los pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. Sin embargo, las propiedades de los analogos del GLP-1 van mas alla del control estrictamente metabolico del paciente diabetico. Los efectos neuroprotectores de los analogos del GLP-1 se han puesto de manifiesto en estudios recientes y han abierto nuevos campos de investigacion en trastornos neurodegenerativos como la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA), entre otros. Objetivo. Revision sistematica de los estudios experimentales y ensayos clinicos en humanos que demuestran las propiedades neuroprotectoras de los analogos del GLP-1 en la EA. Desarrollo. Los estudios experimentales que se han llevado a cabo en modelos de roedores con EA demuestran las propiedades neuroprotectoras de los analogos del GLP-1 sobre el sistema nervioso central que reducen las placas de beta-amiloide, el estres oxidativo y la respuesta inflamatoria cerebral. Recientemente se han puesto en marcha estudios con analogos del GLP-1 en humanos con deterioro cognitivo y EA. Conclusiones. Los analogos del GLP-1 presentan propiedades neuroprotectoras. Al considerarse la diabetes tipo 2 un factor de riesgo para el deterioro cognitivo y la demencia, deben considerarse los beneficios de los analogos del GLP-1 sobre la cognicion. Del mismo modo, los analogos del GLP-1 suponen un tratamiento prometedor en la EA.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier
  • Brain Chemistry
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / psychology
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Exenatide
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / agonists*
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / analogs & derivatives
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / pharmacology
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / therapeutic use
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Incretins / physiology
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Liraglutide
  • Models, Neurological
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Receptors, Glucagon / drug effects
  • Receptors, Glucagon / physiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Venoms / pharmacology
  • Venoms / therapeutic use

Substances

  • GLP1R protein, human
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Incretins
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Glucagon
  • Venoms
  • lixisenatide
  • Liraglutide
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • Exenatide