Ozempic-Like Drug Slowed Progression of Parkinson’s Disease in New Trial [Video]

A promising new trial found that an Ozempic-like drug used to treat diabetes might also help patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Lixisenatide — a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist like Ozempic and Wegovy — previously showed neuroprotective properties in a mouse model of the degenerative brain condition, according to the results of the phase-two, placebo-controlled human trial, published on April 3 in The New England Journal of Medicine.

In this latest study, the drug, manufactured by Sanofi, helped slow the progression of motor disability after 12 months in people in an early stage of Parkinson’s disease. Motor disability includes symptoms such as tremors, rigid muscles, slowed movement known as bradykinesia, impaired posture and balance, and speech changes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The trial followed 156 people — between the ages of 40 and 75 — with early Parkinson’s disease, all of whom continued to take their usual Parkinson’s medication.

One group was administered an additional daily injection …