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Study · Animal study (in vivo) · 2012

8 results

Drugs developed to treat diabetes, liraglutide and lixisenatide, cross the blood brain barrier and enhance neurogenesis.

Hunter K, Hölscher C

BMC neuroscience23 Mar 2012Cited by 430 (Europe PMC)

PMID22443187 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC3352246 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1186/1471-2202-13-33 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-22443187
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Summary

BackgroundType 2 diabetes is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), most likely linked to an impairment of insulin signalling in the brain. Therefore, drugs that enhance insulin signalling may have therapeutic potential for AD. Liraglutide (Victoza) and exenatide (Byetta) are novel long-lasting analogues of the GLP-1 incretin hormone and are currently available to treat diabetes. They facilitate insulin signalling via the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R). Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that GLP-1 analogues have a range of neuroprotective properties. GLP-1Rs are expressed in the hippocampal area of the brain an important site of adult neurogenesis and maintenance of cognition and memory formation. Therefore, if GLP-1 analogues can cross the blood brain barrier, diffuse through the brain to reach the receptors and most importantly activate them, their neuroprotective effects may be realized.ResultsIn the present study we profiled the GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide (Victoza) and lixisenatide (Lyxumia). We measured the kinetics of crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), activation of the GLP-1R by measuring cAMP levels, and physiological effects in the brain on neuronal stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis. Both drugs were able to cross the BBB. Lixisenatide crossed the BBB at all doses tested (2.5, 25, or 250 nmol/kg bw ip.) when measured 30 min post-injection and at 2.5-25 nmol/kg bw ip. 3 h post-injection. Lixisenatide also enhanced neurogenesis in the brain. Liraglutide crossed the BBB at 25 and 250 nmol/kg ip. but no increase was detectable at 2.5 nmol/kg ip. 30 min post-injection, and at 250 nmol/kg ip. at 3 h post-injection. Liraglutide and lixisenatide enhanced cAMP levels in the brain, with lixisenatide being more effective.ConclusionsOur results suggest that these novel incretin analogues cross the BBB and show physiological activity and neurogenesis in the brain, which may be of use as a treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study8

8 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Pharmacokinetics

    In the animal study, lixisenatide crossed the BBB at all tested doses at 30 minutes.

    In plain wordsIn animals, lixisenatide crossed the brain barrier at all tested doses at 30 minutes.

    Peptide
    Lixisenatide
    Outcome
    IncreaseBBB crossing at 30 minutes
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Brain
    Outcome group
    Pharmacokinetics · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    2.5, 25, or 250 nmol/kg bw · intraperitonealAs given in this study.

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Lixisenatide crossed the BBB at all doses tested (2.5, 25, or 250 nmol/kg bw ip.) when measured 30 min post-injection
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In the present study we profiled the GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide (Victoza) and lixisenatide (Lyxumia). We measured the kinetics of crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), activation of the GLP-1R by measuring cAMP levels, and physiological effects in the brain on neuronal stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis.
  2. 02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Pharmacokinetics

    In the animal study, lixisenatide crossed the BBB at 2.5-25 nmol/kg at 3 hours.

    In plain wordsIn animals, lixisenatide crossed the brain barrier at 3 hours.

    Peptide
    Lixisenatide
    Outcome
    IncreaseBBB crossing at 3 hours
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Brain
    Outcome group
    Pharmacokinetics · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    2.5-25 nmol/kg bw · intraperitonealAs given in this study.

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Lixisenatide crossed the BBB at all doses tested (2.5, 25, or 250 nmol/kg bw ip.) when measured 30 min post-injection and at 2.5-25 nmol/kg bw ip. 3 h post-injection.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In the present study we profiled the GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide (Victoza) and lixisenatide (Lyxumia). We measured the kinetics of crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), activation of the GLP-1R by measuring cAMP levels, and physiological effects in the brain on neuronal stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis.
  3. 03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In the animal study, lixisenatide enhanced brain neurogenesis.

    In plain wordsIn animals, lixisenatide increased new nerve cell formation in the brain.

    Peptide
    Lixisenatide
    Outcome
    IncreaseNeurogenesis
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Brain
    Outcome group
    Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · intraperitonealAs given in this study.

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Lixisenatide also enhanced neurogenesis in the brain.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In the present study we profiled the GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide (Victoza) and lixisenatide (Lyxumia). We measured the kinetics of crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), activation of the GLP-1R by measuring cAMP levels, and physiological effects in the brain on neuronal stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis.
  4. 04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Pharmacokinetics

    In the animal study, liraglutide crossed the BBB at 25 and 250 nmol/kg at 30 minutes.

    In plain wordsIn animals, liraglutide crossed the brain barrier at the two higher doses at 30 minutes.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseBBB crossing at 30 minutes
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Brain
    Outcome group
    Pharmacokinetics · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    25 and 250 nmol/kg · intraperitonealAs given in this study.

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Liraglutide crossed the BBB at 25 and 250 nmol/kg ip. but no increase was detectable at 2.5 nmol/kg ip. 30 min post-injection, and at 250 nmol/kg ip. at 3 h post-injection.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In the present study we profiled the GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide (Victoza) and lixisenatide (Lyxumia). We measured the kinetics of crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), activation of the GLP-1R by measuring cAMP levels, and physiological effects in the brain on neuronal stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis.
  5. 05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Pharmacokinetics

    In the animal study, no increase in BBB crossing was detectable with liraglutide at 2.5 nmol/kg at 30 minutes.

    In plain wordsIn animals, the lowest liraglutide dose produced no detectable increase in brain entry at 30 minutes.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeBBB crossing at low dose
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Brain
    Outcome group
    Pharmacokinetics · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    2.5 nmol/kg · intraperitonealAs given in this study.

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Liraglutide crossed the BBB at 25 and 250 nmol/kg ip. but no increase was detectable at 2.5 nmol/kg ip. 30 min post-injection, and at 250 nmol/kg ip. at 3 h post-injection.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In the present study we profiled the GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide (Victoza) and lixisenatide (Lyxumia). We measured the kinetics of crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), activation of the GLP-1R by measuring cAMP levels, and physiological effects in the brain on neuronal stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis.
  6. 06AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Pharmacokinetics

    In the animal study, liraglutide crossed the BBB at 250 nmol/kg at 3 hours.

    In plain wordsIn animals, liraglutide crossed the brain barrier at the highest dose at 3 hours.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseBBB crossing at 3 hours
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Brain
    Outcome group
    Pharmacokinetics · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    250 nmol/kg · intraperitonealAs given in this study.

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Liraglutide crossed the BBB at 25 and 250 nmol/kg ip. but no increase was detectable at 2.5 nmol/kg ip. 30 min post-injection, and at 250 nmol/kg ip. at 3 h post-injection.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In the present study we profiled the GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide (Victoza) and lixisenatide (Lyxumia). We measured the kinetics of crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), activation of the GLP-1R by measuring cAMP levels, and physiological effects in the brain on neuronal stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis.
  7. 07AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In the animal study, liraglutide enhanced brain cAMP levels.

    In plain wordsIn animals, liraglutide increased brain cAMP levels.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseBrain cAMP
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Brain
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · intraperitonealAs given in this study.

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Liraglutide and lixisenatide enhanced cAMP levels in the brain, with lixisenatide being more effective.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In the present study we profiled the GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide (Victoza) and lixisenatide (Lyxumia). We measured the kinetics of crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), activation of the GLP-1R by measuring cAMP levels, and physiological effects in the brain on neuronal stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis.
  8. 08AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In the animal study, lixisenatide enhanced brain cAMP levels more effectively than liraglutide.

    In plain wordsIn animals, lixisenatide increased brain cAMP more effectively than liraglutide.

    Peptide
    Lixisenatide
    Outcome
    IncreaseBrain cAMP
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Brain
    Comparator
    Liraglutide
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · intraperitonealAs given in this study.

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Liraglutide and lixisenatide enhanced cAMP levels in the brain, with lixisenatide being more effective.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In the present study we profiled the GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide (Victoza) and lixisenatide (Lyxumia). We measured the kinetics of crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), activation of the GLP-1R by measuring cAMP levels, and physiological effects in the brain on neuronal stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 3Current

    28 Oct 2026, 02:03 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    27 Oct 2026, 16:36 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

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