GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Current Applications and Future Directions

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have gained significant attention in recent years due to their multifaceted benefits beyond glycemic control, including weight reduction and cardiovascular protection. Their ability to provide effective glucose regulation with a low risk of hypoglycemia and additional metabolic advantages, such as weight loss, makes them a pivotal treatment option in modern endocrinology. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pharmacological mechanisms, clinical applications, and emerging therapeutic potentials of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Additionally, the review evaluates the safety profile of these agents and highlights future perspectives for their expanded clinical use. For these purposes, a literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for articles published between January 1999 and July 2025. The search included preclinical trials, clinical trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and recent high-impact narrative reviews. Keywords such as "GLP-1 receptor agonists", "type 2 diabetes", "obesity", "cardiovascular system", and "neuroprotection" were used to identify relevant studies. Articles focusing on withdrawn or experimental drugs, case reports, and non-English publications were excluded. The analysis of the selected studies demonstrated that GLP-1 RAs not only significantly improve glycemic control but also promote substantial weight loss and reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, particularly in high-risk patient populations. Additionally, emerging evidence suggests potential neuroprotective effects that may expand their therapeutic indications in the coming years, making them promising candidates for the treatment of neurological impairments such as depression, epilepsy, addiction, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In conclusion, GLP-1 RAs represent a valuable class of drugs that have redefined the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Future long-term studies and large-scale clinical trials are needed to further evaluate their potential applications in neurological diseases and to confirm their long-term safety.

Keywords

• GLP-1 receptor agonists
• Type 2 diabetes
• Obesity
• Cardiovascular system
• Neuroprotection
• Alzheimer disease
• Parkinson Disease
• Semaglutide
• Liraglutide

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