ROCHESTER, NY – July 28,2025
A growing body of new research is providing compelling evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) drugs, widely known for their use in managing type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss (such as Ozempic and Wegovy), may also play a crucial role in reducing the risk of stroke and even improving recovery outcomes for those who experience one. These findings are opening new avenues for treatment and prevention strategies in cardiovascular and neurological health.
Recent studies presented at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS) 2025 annual meeting, as well as those published in journals like Stroke and the European Medical Journal, indicate that GLP-1 RAs offer unexpected neuroprotective effects in both ischemic stroke (caused by a blood clot) and hemorrhagic stroke (caused by bleeding in the brain).
One significant study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, utilizing both their institutional medical center data and a vast global health collaborative of over two million stroke patients, found a striking correlation. Patients who were taking Ozempic at the time of an acute ischemic stroke generally experienced significantly lower rates of death from stroke and had a higher chance of long-term survival compared to non-users. In the global dataset, initial death from stroke was over four times lower in Ozempic users (5.26%) compared to non-users (21.61%), with a long-term survival chance of 77.5% for users versus 30.95% for non-users.
Another retrospective cohort study, published recently, highlighted that GLP-1 RA use was associated with a 19% lower risk of ischemic stroke and a 37% lower risk of developing dementia in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Furthermore, these drugs were linked to a 30% lower risk of all-cause mortality. The study, conducted using electronic health records from a large US network, also found a lower risk of nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in GLP-1 RA users.
The mechanisms behind these protective effects are thought to be multifaceted. GLP-1 RAs are known to:
* Improve traditional stroke risk factors: They effectively lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and improve lipid profiles – all key contributors to stroke risk.
* Reduce inflammation: These drugs exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial in mitigating damage to blood vessels and brain tissue.
* Enhance blood vessel function: GLP-1 RAs may improve endothelial function and stabilize plaque buildup in arteries, thereby reducing the likelihood of blockages.
* Decrease platelet aggregation: Some research suggests GLP-1 RAs can reduce the clumping of blood platelets, a factor in clot formation that leads to ischemic strokes.
* Neuroprotective effects: Preclinical data and emerging human studies indicate that GLP-1 RAs may directly protect neurons (brain cells), reduce oxidative stress, and potentially slow down brain changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. For stroke survivors, this could translate to a reduced risk of cognitive side effects, seizures, and future brain hemorrhages.
While these findings are largely from retrospective analyses and observational studies, providing strong associations, researchers emphasize the need for randomized controlled trials to definitively establish a causal relationship and fully understand the long-term safety and efficacy of GLP-1 RAs specifically for stroke prevention and recovery in broader populations.
Nevertheless, this accumulating evidence is prompting a significant shift in the medical community’s understanding of GLP-1 RAs, extending their potential therapeutic scope beyond metabolic and cardiovascular control to direct neuro- and cerebrovascular protection. For millions of individuals at risk of stroke or those recovering from one, these drugs may represent a promising new frontier in promoting long-term brain health and improving overall outcomes.
