Subchronic GLP-1 mimetic treatment improves
amyloid-beta-induced memory deficit

Newsletter # 95



Animal models


Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (aka GLP-1 mimetics), is an anti-diabetic medication also approved for management of obesity. Clinical investigation on diabetic patients reports that reduced circulating GLP-1 is indicative of mild cognitive impairment and treatment with the GLP-1 mimetic Liraglutide improved memory and cognition (reviewed in 1). Furthermore, post-hoc analysis based on pooled data from three cardiovascular outcome trials suggests a reduced risk of dementia with GLP-1 agonists treatment (including liraglutide and semaglutide). A couple of clinical trials in Parkinson and Alzheimer's patients report beneficial effects of GLP-1 mimetics treatment, especially on mood, memory and cognition (reviewed in 2).
NEUROFIT found that in the model of i.c.v. amyloid-beta (Aβ)-induced memory deficit in the rat, 2-weeks treatment with GLP-1 mimetic Semaglutide significantly improves memory as compared to the placebo. This finding supports the therapeutic potential of GLP-1 pathway in amyloid-beta brain pathology.
1 : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118645
2 : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.01.040
  • Enhanced memory retention in Aβ-rats following Semaglutide treatment

    NEUROFIT website

    Left panel: The graph shows the recall performance of rats in the passive avoidance test.
    Control rats (blue column) still remember the previous aversive experience (electric shock) and avoid entering the dark chamber. i.c.v. Aβ-rats (red column) forget the association between the context and the foot shock (hence shorter step through latency; blue vs red column).
    Pre-treatment of i.c.v. A    β-rats with Semaglutide enhances the recall of the context shock paired-chamber (hence, increased step through latency; red vs green column).


    Ask for more informations

  • Reduced body weight in Semaglutide-treated rats

    NEUROFIT website

    Right panel: The graph shows a reduced weight gain in rats after 2 weeks treatment with Semaglutide (green column) which is in line with its anti-obesity effect.


NEUROFIT offers a range of validated in vitro and in vivo screening tests for psychiatry and neurology.

If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will reply within few days. Custom protocol

On a regular basis we distribute newsletters with scientific information on our research services. If you wish to receive these, please :