The use of Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) is an established therapy for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity, providing effective glycemic control, weight loss, and cardiovascular and renal benefits. Evidence is emerging on the potential neuropsychiatric and neuroprotective effects mediated via central GLP-1R. This review summarizes preclinical, clinical, and real-world findings on the use of GLP-1R agonists in depression, anxiety, binge eating disorder (BED), cognitive impairment, dementia, and substance use disorders involving alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and opioids. Literature emphasizes human studies and translational models. Reported mechanisms include modulation of neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter systems, and reward pathways. Preliminary results are promising but limited by small and methodologically heterogeneous studies with short follow-up. Robust randomized trials with standardized psychotropic endpoints are needed. If confirmed, GLP-1RAs could represent an innovative treatment option bridging metabolic and mental health care.

Psychotropic effects of GLP-1R agonists / L. Bucciarelli, V. Cimino, B. Dell'Osso, P. Fiorina. - In: PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH. - ISSN 1043-6618. - 222:(2025), pp. 108036.1-108036.8. [10.1016/j.phrs.2025.108036]

Psychotropic effects of GLP-1R agonists

L. Bucciarelli
Primo
;
V. Cimino;B. Dell'Osso;P. Fiorina
Ultimo
2025

Abstract

The use of Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) is an established therapy for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity, providing effective glycemic control, weight loss, and cardiovascular and renal benefits. Evidence is emerging on the potential neuropsychiatric and neuroprotective effects mediated via central GLP-1R. This review summarizes preclinical, clinical, and real-world findings on the use of GLP-1R agonists in depression, anxiety, binge eating disorder (BED), cognitive impairment, dementia, and substance use disorders involving alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and opioids. Literature emphasizes human studies and translational models. Reported mechanisms include modulation of neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter systems, and reward pathways. Preliminary results are promising but limited by small and methodologically heterogeneous studies with short follow-up. Robust randomized trials with standardized psychotropic endpoints are needed. If confirmed, GLP-1RAs could represent an innovative treatment option bridging metabolic and mental health care.
English
Alcohol use disorder; Binge-eating disorder; Depression; Opioid use disorder; Psychotropic benefits; Psychotropic risks
Settore MEDS-08/A - Endocrinologia
Settore MEDS-11/A - Psichiatria
Review essay
Esperti anonimi
Pubblicazione scientifica
Goal 3: Good health and well-being
   Restraining a novel beta cell signaling in type 1 diabetes
   MINISTERO DELL'UNIVERSITA' E DELLA RICERCA
   20229ZA2YF_001
2025
Elsevier
222
108036
1
8
8
Pubblicato
Periodico con rilevanza internazionale
crossref
Aderisco
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Psychotropic effects of GLP-1R agonists / L. Bucciarelli, V. Cimino, B. Dell'Osso, P. Fiorina. - In: PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH. - ISSN 1043-6618. - 222:(2025), pp. 108036.1-108036.8. [10.1016/j.phrs.2025.108036]
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Article (author)
Periodico con Impact Factor
L. Bucciarelli, V. Cimino, B. Dell'Osso, P. Fiorina
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1201835
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