From diabetes to dopamine: Evaluating the disease-modifying potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists in Parkinson's disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND

While current therapies address symptom management, there is an unmet need for disease-modifying treatments in Parkinson's disease (PD). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), initially developed for diabetes, have shown neuroprotective properties.

AIM: To assess the disease-modifying potential and safety of GLP-1 RAs in PD.

METHODS

We followed Cochrane Handbook. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating GLP-1 RAs in PD that were identified through comprehensive database searches through March 2025. Cochrane's risk-of-bias tool was used to assess the RCTs' quality. A random-effects model was used to calculate mean differences (MDs) and risk ratios (RRs) with their confidence intervals (CIs) and analyze them using R.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis of four placebo-controlled RCTs found that GLP-1 RAs demonstrated a statistically significant overall improvement in ON-medication motor scores (MDS-UPDRS Part III: MD -0.75, 95% CI [-1.50, -0.0009]; P = 0.04). However, this benefit was not consistently observed at individual follow-up time points. In contrast, the pooled analysis for OFF-medication motor scores showed no significant overall improvement (MD -1.39; P = 0.16), despite considerable heterogeneity; only the 60-week follow-up showed a significant benefit (MD -3.0; P = 0.005). No significant differences were found for health-related quality of life (PDQ-39), other MDS-UPDRS domains (Part I, Part II, or Part IV), or Levodopa equivalent daily dose. GLP-1 RAs were associated with significantly higher rates of gastrointestinal adverse events (loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux) and weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence does not sufficiently support the routine use of GLP-1 RAs for motor improvement in PD.