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Study · Systematic review · 2026

3 results

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Semaglutide Effects on Adipose Tissue and Emerging Effects on Brain and Cognition.

Saghazadeh A, Dolatshahi M, Mohammadi S, Kassani SH, Naghashzadeh M, Ippolito JE, Sirlin CB, Mittendorfer B, Brier MR, Schindler SE, Morris JC, Mou D, Soudah HC, Benzinger TLS, Raji CA

Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity1 Mar 2026Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

PMID41766347 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13131993 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1111/obr.70108 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-41766347
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Summary

BackgroundIn 2023 and 2024, research into semaglutide (SEMA), an antiobesity and antidiabetic medication, indicated potential benefits beyond its approved uses, particularly in preventing Alzheimer's disease (AD). This highlights the link between obesity and AD development.ObjectivesThis systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates clinical studies assessing SEMA's effects on subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (SAT/VAT) measures, brain function, cognitive performance through cognitive tasks, and the incidence of cognitive disorders.MethodsWe searched databases for studies evaluating these outcomes pre- and post-SEMA treatment, with the last update on November 9, 2024. We included studies regardless of treatment duration, estimating pre-post standardized mean differences (SMD) for one-group and two-group designs using a random-effects model.ResultsWe included 23 studies: 18 on SAT/VAT outcomes and five on brain function and cognitive impairment. Meta-analyses revealed significant VAT reductions but no significant impact on SAT. SEMA demonstrated neuroprotective effects, lowering the risk of AD compared to various treatments.ConclusionOur systematic appraisal highlighted high heterogeneity across available original investigations. Within this context, meta-analytic findings suggest that SEMA may be able to promote VAT loss and support cognitive preservation. Sequencing these effects, VAT loss and cognitive preservation, is an important question open for further exploration.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 3 results from people.

  1. 01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In a meta-analysis of clinical studies, semaglutide produced significant reductions in visceral adipose tissue.

    In plain wordsIn a pooled analysis of studies in people, semaglutide reduced visceral fat, the fat around the organs.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseVisceral adipose tissue (VAT)
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Pre-treatment baseline
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Meta-analyses revealed significant VAT reductions but no significant impact on SAT.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates clinical studies assessing SEMA's effects on subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (SAT/VAT) measures, brain function, cognitive performance through cognitive tasks, and the incidence of cognitive disorders.
  2. 02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In a meta-analysis of clinical studies, semaglutide had no significant impact on subcutaneous adipose tissue.

    In plain wordsIn a pooled analysis of studies in people, semaglutide did not clearly change fat under the skin.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeSubcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT)
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Pre-treatment baseline
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Meta-analyses revealed significant VAT reductions but no significant impact on SAT.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates clinical studies assessing SEMA's effects on subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (SAT/VAT) measures, brain function, cognitive performance through cognitive tasks, and the incidence of cognitive disorders.
  3. 03HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In a meta-analysis of clinical studies, semaglutide showed neuroprotective effects and lowered the risk of Alzheimer's disease compared with various treatments.

    In plain wordsIn a pooled analysis of studies in people, semaglutide was linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease than other treatments.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseRisk of Alzheimer's disease
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Various treatments
    Outcome group
    Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    SEMA demonstrated neuroprotective effects, lowering the risk of AD compared to various treatments.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates clinical studies assessing SEMA's effects on subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (SAT/VAT) measures, brain function, cognitive performance through cognitive tasks, and the incidence of cognitive disorders.

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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