Meta-analysis of GLP-1 agonists for Parkinson's disease motor symptoms shows limited benefit

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no proven disease-modifying therapies to date. Because changes in cerebral glucose metabolism and insulin resistance have been linked to PD pathophysiology, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), widely used for diabetes, have been investigated as potential neuroprotective treatments. METHODS: This study systematically assessed the efficacy and safety of GLP-1RAs in PD through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials identified in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The primary outcomes were motor function improvements measured by the MDS-UPDRS Part III in both on- and off-medication states at study endpoints and at intermediate timepoints of interest. Secondary outcomes included MDS-UPDRS Parts I, II, and IV, quality of life assessed by the PDQ-39, levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD), and the occurrence of adverse events. RESULTS: The meta-analysis found no statistically significant difference in favor of GLP-1RAs over placebo for motors and non-motors outcomes, except for PDQ-39 (MD: - 0.75; 95% CI: [- 1.34, - 0.17], P = 0.01). Regarding safety, GLP-1RAs were associated with a higher incidence of adverse events, especially gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, current evidence does not demonstrate consistent clinical benefit of using GLP-1RAs for treating motor or non-motor symptoms in PD nor support GLP-1RAs as disease-modifying therapy, underscoring the need for further research.