Agonist News and Research

RSS

GLP-1 drugs appear psychiatrically safe, but one finding still raises questions

A systematic review of 11 observational studies representing more than 4.9 million patients found that GLP-1 receptor agonists were generally associated with neutral or potentially protective psychiatric outcomes, although one obesity-focused cohort reported increased risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior. Direct evidence for antidepressant effects remains limited, with only one cross-sectional study using validated mood scales and no randomized trials in the final synthesis, meaning causality cannot be established

6 Sep 2026

Psilocybin protects sensory nerves from chemotherapy damage in preclinical study

In mouse models, prophylactic psilocybin prevented or reduced multiple features of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, with cycle-matched dosing sustaining protection during repeated cisplatin exposure without measurably affecting tumor growth. Experiments in human-derived sensory neurons and ex vivo peripheral nerves linked the effect to 5-HT2A-dependent preservation of mitochondrial trafficking and local axonal energy supply, while a nonhallucinogenic 5-HT2A agonist reproduced protection against mechanical hypersensitivity.

6 Sep 2026

Dual-drug microneedle patch targets inflammation and fat browning

The worldwide obesity crisis has become a dominant public health crisis across the globe. Over 3 billion people worldwide currently suffer from obesity, and forecasts warn the number will rise above 4 billion by 2035, accounting for more than half the global population.

4 Sep 2026

Mosaic nanoparticle vaccine boosts broad mucosal coronavirus immunity

The persistent threat of emerging coronaviruses highlights the critical need to establish frontline defenses directly at the respiratory entry portal.

4 Sep 2026

Childhood obesity prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs surge in the U.S.

Although the number of US children under age 12 with obesity being prescribed the weight loss drugs Saxenda, Wegovy, and Zepbound remains low, the number is 310 times higher in June 2026 than it was in 2019, when the drugs were initially prescribed, a new study shows.

4 Sep 2026

Semaglutide extended lifespan in older female mice, but that was not the only finding

Late-life semaglutide treatment slowed age-related physiological decline, attenuated multiple molecular hallmarks of aging, and extended median lifespan from 742 to 834 days in aged female mice. The drug reproduced many effects of calorie restriction while providing additional benefits in exploratory behavior, spatial memory, and glucose control, suggesting that some effects extend beyond reduced calorie intake alone.

3 Sep 2026

Study links popular weight-loss drugs to increased male hair loss

Men already at risk genetically for the most common form of hair loss have a 7 percent added risk of losing their hair if they use drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound for type 2 diabetes and obesity, a new study shows.

3 Sep 2026

Why addiction researchers are paying closer attention to GLP-1 drugs

A Journal of Clinical Investigation Viewpoint highlights growing evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly semaglutide, may reduce alcohol consumption and some other substance-related outcomes by acting on brain systems involved in reward, motivation, stress, and emotion. However, the authors caution that efficacy for substance use disorders is not yet firmly established and call for further research into optimal dosing, treatment duration, patient selection, mechanisms, and effects across different addictions.

2 Sep 2026

GLP-1 drugs have benefits beyond weight loss. Could microdoses preserve them?

A narrative review suggests GLP-1-based therapies deliver metabolic, cardiovascular, renal, and other systemic benefits, raising interest in whether lower fractional doses could improve tolerability and treatment continuity. However, direct evidence for GLP-1 microdosing remains extremely limited, and researchers say prospective studies are needed to determine whether lower doses preserve long-term benefits.

1 Sep 2026

Is there a best day to take GLP-1 drugs? Researchers looked for an answer

A systematic review of 1,000 screened records identified only three eligible studies examining administration timing for semaglutide, and none directly compared different days of the week or assessed tirzepatide timing. The limited evidence suggests flexible dosing may support adherence and tolerability without compromising glycemic control or weight loss, but these findings rely largely on indirect evidence and expert opinion rather than direct comparative trials.

30 Aug 2026

Oral relaxin agonist AZD5462 improves cardiac function in heart failure patients

The oral relaxin agonist, AZD5462, improved cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure, according to results presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2026 and published simultaneously in Circulation.

30 Aug 2026

Overuse of short-acting bronchodilator linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and death

Overuse of reliever inhalers is associated with higher risks of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart attack and ischemic stroke, in asthma and COPD patients, according to a study published today in ERJ Open Research.

27 Aug 2026

GLP-1 drugs may reshape obesity care, but clinicians still have questions

Interviews with 11 healthcare professionals in a UK specialist weight management service found generally positive attitudes toward injectable GLP-1 drugs, alongside limited formal training and uncertainty about how the medications should be integrated with behavioral care. Participants anticipated potential benefits for confidence and weight management but also raised concerns about treatment discontinuation, behavioral engagement, and evolving professional responsibilities.

26 Aug 2026

Multifunctional nanoplatform addresses three key barriers to effective TNBC immunotherapy

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant subtypes of breast cancer, accounting for 15-20% of all cases.

21 Aug 2026

Mitochondrial protein deficiency drives increased fat intake and obesity

Obesity is a global health concern that can contribute to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic disorders.

13 Aug 2026

Semaglutide slows blood protein signature linked to future dementia risk

A post hoc analysis of 2,970 older SELECT participants found that semaglutide slowed worsening of a 25-protein blood signature that predicts future dementia risk. Over 104 weeks, semaglutide produced larger effects on modeled 5-year than 20-year dementia risk, but whether these biomarker changes translate into less cognitive decline or dementia remains unknown.

10 Aug 2026

Tirzepatide lowers heart attack and cardiovascular event risk in adults with type 2 diabetes

In a US cohort of 52,971 adults with type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, tirzepatide initiation was associated with a lower one-year risk of major adverse cardiovascular events than sitagliptin. The benefit was driven mainly by lower myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality hazards, although the authors cautioned that mortality findings may be influenced by residual confounding.

10 Aug 2026

Single-dose psilocybin shows promise for treatment-resistant depression in NHS trial

A single 25-mg dose of psilocybin with psychological support was feasible to deliver within an NHS setting and produced large preliminary reductions in depressive symptoms among adults with treatment-resistant depression. The Phase 2 feasibility trial also found the treatment was generally well tolerated, although functional unblinding and expectancy effects mean larger, longer efficacy studies are needed.

10 Aug 2026

GLP-1 drug tirzepatide associated with lower risk of major cardiovascular events

Adding the GLP-1 receptor agonist drug tirzepatide (marketed as Mounjaro) to standard care for patients with type 2 diabetes and heart disease is associated with a lower risk of a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, finds a study published by The BMJ today.

5 Aug 2026

Mouse study shows how liraglutide briefly rewires gut bacterial communities

Researchers treated male high-fat-fed mice with liraglutide for 14 days, then tracked fecal bacterial communities after a 7-day washout using 16S rRNA sequencing. Liraglutide shifted the microbiome toward Lactobacillus- and Leptogranulimonas-related taxa while reducing several fermentative taxa, but most changes moved back toward baseline after treatment stopped.

4 Aug 2026

Agonist News and Research

GLP-1 drugs appear psychiatrically safe, but one finding still raises questions

Psilocybin protects sensory nerves from chemotherapy damage in preclinical study

Dual-drug microneedle patch targets inflammation and fat browning

Mosaic nanoparticle vaccine boosts broad mucosal coronavirus immunity

Childhood obesity prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs surge in the U.S.

Semaglutide extended lifespan in older female mice, but that was not the only finding

Study links popular weight-loss drugs to increased male hair loss

Why addiction researchers are paying closer attention to GLP-1 drugs

GLP-1 drugs have benefits beyond weight loss. Could microdoses preserve them?

Is there a best day to take GLP-1 drugs? Researchers looked for an answer

Oral relaxin agonist AZD5462 improves cardiac function in heart failure patients

Overuse of short-acting bronchodilator linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and death

GLP-1 drugs may reshape obesity care, but clinicians still have questions

Multifunctional nanoplatform addresses three key barriers to effective TNBC immunotherapy

Mitochondrial protein deficiency drives increased fat intake and obesity

Semaglutide slows blood protein signature linked to future dementia risk

Tirzepatide lowers heart attack and cardiovascular event risk in adults with type 2 diabetes

Single-dose psilocybin shows promise for treatment-resistant depression in NHS trial

GLP-1 drug tirzepatide associated with lower risk of major cardiovascular events

Mouse study shows how liraglutide briefly rewires gut bacterial communities

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Latest News