The Role of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A Narrative Review

Authors

Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Kelly R. Sala, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Brennan M. Abbott, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Alexandra N. Dicke, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Landyn D. Johnson, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Parker A. Wilson, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Sam N. Amarasinghe, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Naina Singh, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Adam M. Kaye, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Sahar Shekoohi, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Giustino Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Rome, ITA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-19-2024

Publication Title

Cureus

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease modulated by autoantibodies that inflame and destroy the myelin sheath encasing neuronal axons, impairing proper axonal conduction and function. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, making these drugs particularly exciting prospects in the treatment of MS. While the exact mechanism remains unclear, GLP-1 receptor agonists may modulate inflammatory responses by targeting GLP-1 receptors present on immune cells such as macrophages, monocytes, and lymphocytes. In animal models, GLP-1 agonists have been shown to significantly delay the onset and severity of experimental autoimmune encephalopathy symptoms, as well as to increase nerve myelination and brain weight. In further experiments using animal models of nerve crush injury, specimens given GLP-1 agonists reported a significant increase in the rate and density of nerve regeneration compared to controls. Thus, GLP-1 agonists show promise as both prophylactic and symptomatic treatment for MS and may provide further utility in the treatment of other autoimmune, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative conditions.

First Page

e67232

PubMed ID

39301360

Volume

16

Issue

8

Recommended Citation

Kaye, Alan D.; Sala, Kelly R.; Abbott, Brennan M.; Dicke, Alexandra N.; Johnson, Landyn D.; Wilson, Parker A.; Amarasinghe, Sam N.; Singh, Naina; Ahmadzadeh, Shahab; Kaye, Adam M.; Shekoohi, Sahar; and Varrassi, Giustino, "The Role of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A Narrative Review" (2024). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 2989.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/2989
10.7759/cureus.67232