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Study · Case report or series · n = 1 · 2025

5 results

Neurological complications associated with rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies following GLP-1 agonist use: a case report.

Zahir A, Collins D, Ip S, Samghabadi P, Douglas VC, LaHue SC

BMC neurology26 Nov 2025Cited by 4 (Europe PMC)

PMID41299410 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC12764084 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1186/s12883-025-04540-7 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-41299410
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Summary

GLP-1 agonists have been a welcome addition to the armamentarium in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. While this class of medications is generally considered safe and effective, potentially severe neurological complications may be associated with rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies following GLP-1 agonist use. We present a 37-year-old woman who was prescribed semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss who subsequently experienced significant weight reduction and rapid glycemic control over three months. Thereafter, she developed progressive right leg numbness and weakness, followed by similar symptoms in the left leg, and blurred vision. Initially diagnosed with B12 deficiency, her symptoms worsened despite supplementation, leading to acute encephalopathy and transfer to a tertiary center. Neurological examination revealed disorientation, ocular abnormalities, weakness, sensory deficits, and preserved ankle jerks. Diagnostic workup was notable for thiamine deficiency, NCS/EMG showing a severe, axonal polyneuropathy, and nerve biopsy redemonstrating severe axonal neuropathy. After extensive diagnostic workup, the most likely etiology of her clinical presentation was favored to be non-alcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy (NAWE) and treatment-induced neuropathy of diabetes (TIND). This case suggests that vulnerable individuals may experience significant adverse neurological complications from the metabolic effects of GLP-1 agonist use. As a class effect, the benefits of these medications outweigh the risks, but their use warrants consideration of their potential sequelae.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study5

5 results from studies that gave the peptide. 5 results from people.

  1. 01HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome

    A woman prescribed semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss had significant weight reduction over three months.

    In plain wordsOne woman prescribed semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss lost a large amount of weight over three months.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseWeight reduction
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    We present a 37-year-old woman who was prescribed semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss who subsequently experienced significant weight reduction and rapid glycemic control over three months.
  2. 02HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome

    A woman prescribed semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss achieved rapid glycemic control over three months.

    In plain wordsOne woman prescribed semaglutide for diabetes reached good blood sugar control quickly, within three months.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableGlycemic control
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    We present a 37-year-old woman who was prescribed semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss who subsequently experienced significant weight reduction and rapid glycemic control over three months.
  3. 03HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    After rapid weight loss on semaglutide, a woman developed progressive numbness and weakness of both legs and blurred vision.

    In plain wordsOne woman who lost weight quickly on semaglutide developed leg numbness, leg weakness and blurred vision.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableProgressive leg numbness, weakness and blurred vision
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Thereafter, she developed progressive right leg numbness and weakness, followed by similar symptoms in the left leg, and blurred vision.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We present a 37-year-old woman who was prescribed semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss who subsequently experienced significant weight reduction and rapid glycemic control over three months.
  4. 04HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    A woman who took semaglutide had thiamine deficiency and a severe axonal polyneuropathy confirmed by nerve studies and nerve biopsy.

    In plain wordsOne woman who took semaglutide was found to have a thiamine deficiency and severe nerve damage.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableAxonal polyneuropathy and thiamine deficiency
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Diagnostic workup was notable for thiamine deficiency, NCS/EMG showing a severe, axonal polyneuropathy, and nerve biopsy redemonstrating severe axonal neuropathy.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We present a 37-year-old woman who was prescribed semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss who subsequently experienced significant weight reduction and rapid glycemic control over three months.
  5. 05HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    The most likely diagnosis for a woman with neurological complications after semaglutide was non-alcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy and treatment-induced neuropathy of diabetes.

    In plain wordsIn one woman, doctors judged her brain and nerve problems after semaglutide were most likely Wernicke's encephalopathy and diabetes treatment-induced neuropathy.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableNon-alcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy and treatment-induced neuropathy of diabetes
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    After extensive diagnostic workup, the most likely etiology of her clinical presentation was favored to be non-alcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy (NAWE) and treatment-induced neuropathy of diabetes (TIND).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We present a 37-year-old woman who was prescribed semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss who subsequently experienced significant weight reduction and rapid glycemic control over three months.

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 2Current

    11 Oct 2026, 00:04 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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