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Study · Systematic review · 2025

4 results

Efficacy and Safety of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists for Psychiatric Symptoms: A Systematic Review.

Meshkat S, Di Luciano C, Swiderski A, Li G, Aguilar RJ, Dunkley BT, Reichelt AC, Zhang Y, Greenshaw A, Vermetten E, Jetly R, Dash S, Agarwal SM, Swainson J, Bhat V

Brain and behavior1 Jul 2025Cited by 8 (Europe PMC)

PMID40635383 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC12241715 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1002/brb3.70661 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-40635383
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Summary

BackgroundGlucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have emerged as potential therapeutic options for psychiatric symptoms due to their effects on mood and behavior. However, their use has been primarily for metabolic diseases, and limited research has evaluated their psychiatric efficacy. This systematic review examined the impact of GLP-1 RAs on psychiatric symptoms, categorizing studies based on whether psychiatric outcomes were primary or secondary.MethodsA comprehensive search through OVID databases from inception to November 2024 identified 26 studies (n = 3020), with 5 studies evaluating psychiatric symptoms as primary outcomes (e.g., substance use disorders) and 21 studies assessing secondary outcomes across various conditions. Additionally, 10 registered clinical trials were identified.ResultsAmong the five studies targeting primary outcomes, exenatide and dulaglutide were investigated in cocaine use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and nicotine dependence. Exenatide 2 mg once-weekly demonstrated reductions in cocaine craving in two cases over 6 weeks in a case series study. However, mixed results were reported across studies, including no significant changes in a separate case series (n = 12, p = 0.46). Dulaglutide 1.5 mg weekly did not significantly affect smoking abstinence (RR = 0.87, p = 0.25) but reduced alcohol consumption by 29%   in a secondary analysis. For studies assessing secondary outcomes, GLP-1 RAs showed variable effects. In mood disorders, liraglutide 1.8 mg/day significantly improved depression and anhedonia. In Type 2 diabetes, semaglutide improved diabetes-related quality of life (Cohen' and anxiety (Cohen's d = 0.48) compared to dulaglutide. Exenatide studies reported mixed results, with one randomized controlled trial (RCT) showing significant reductions in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) scores (Δ = -5.2). A total of nine RCTs were included in this review and the risk of bias was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for RCTs. All included RCTs met the majority of criteria, indicating moderate-to-high methodological quality. Of the included RCTs, three reported a statistically significant effect on the primary psychiatric outcome, whereas six reported no significant effect.ConclusionGLP-1 RAs showed mixed and inconclusive effects on psychiatric symptoms. Although some studies suggested potential benefits, others reported null findings. Given the variability across trials, further research is needed to clarify their therapeutic potential.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

  1. 01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In mood-disorder studies, liraglutide 1.8 mg/day significantly improved depression.

    In plain wordsIn reviewed people with mood disorders, liraglutide improved depression; the exact comparison and signed score change were unstated.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedDepression
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Analysis
    Secondary
    Outcome group
    Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    1.8 mg/dayAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In mood disorders, liraglutide 1.8 mg/day significantly improved depression and anhedonia.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A comprehensive search through OVID databases from inception to November 2024 identified 26 studies (n = 3020), with 5 studies evaluating psychiatric symptoms as primary outcomes (e.g., substance use disorders) and 21 studies assessing secondary outcomes across various conditions.
    Summary · context
    For studies assessing secondary outcomes, GLP-1 RAs showed variable effects.
  2. 02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In mood-disorder studies, liraglutide 1.8 mg/day significantly improved anhedonia.

    In plain wordsIn reviewed people with mood disorders, liraglutide improved anhedonia; the exact comparison and signed score change were unstated.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedAnhedonia
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Analysis
    Secondary
    Outcome group
    Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    1.8 mg/dayAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In mood disorders, liraglutide 1.8 mg/day significantly improved depression and anhedonia.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A comprehensive search through OVID databases from inception to November 2024 identified 26 studies (n = 3020), with 5 studies evaluating psychiatric symptoms as primary outcomes (e.g., substance use disorders) and 21 studies assessing secondary outcomes across various conditions.
    Summary · context
    For studies assessing secondary outcomes, GLP-1 RAs showed variable effects.
  3. 03HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In type 2 diabetes studies, semaglutide improved diabetes-related quality of life compared with dulaglutide.

    In plain wordsIn type 2 diabetes studies, semaglutide improved diabetes-related quality of life compared with dulaglutide.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedDiabetes-related quality of life
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Dulaglutide
    Analysis
    Secondary
    Outcome group
    Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In Type 2 diabetes, semaglutide improved diabetes-related quality of life (Cohen' and anxiety (Cohen's d = 0.48) compared to dulaglutide.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A comprehensive search through OVID databases from inception to November 2024 identified 26 studies (n = 3020), with 5 studies evaluating psychiatric symptoms as primary outcomes (e.g., substance use disorders) and 21 studies assessing secondary outcomes across various conditions.
    Summary · context
    For studies assessing secondary outcomes, GLP-1 RAs showed variable effects.
  4. 04HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In type 2 diabetes studies, semaglutide improved anxiety compared with dulaglutide.

    In plain wordsIn type 2 diabetes studies, semaglutide improved anxiety compared with dulaglutide.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedAnxiety
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Dulaglutide
    Analysis
    Secondary
    Outcome group
    Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Cohen's d
    0.48
    anxiety

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In Type 2 diabetes, semaglutide improved diabetes-related quality of life (Cohen' and anxiety (Cohen's d = 0.48) compared to dulaglutide.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A comprehensive search through OVID databases from inception to November 2024 identified 26 studies (n = 3020), with 5 studies evaluating psychiatric symptoms as primary outcomes (e.g., substance use disorders) and 21 studies assessing secondary outcomes across various conditions.
    Summary · context
    For studies assessing secondary outcomes, GLP-1 RAs showed variable effects.

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

    12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    9 Oct 2026, 03:06 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

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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