Neuroprotective effects of semaglutide targeting the left temporal lobe in adults with overweight or obesity: A 24‐week multimodal neuroimaging study
Authors' conclusion
A 24-week semaglutide intervention induces significant neurobiological remodelling in the left temporal lobe of adults with overweight or obesity. These central effects are independent of the drug's systemic metabolic improvements, offering new evidence for its potential neuroprotective role.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with overweight or obesity
- Participants
- 26 adults
- Exposure
- Semaglutide 1.0 mg weekly, pre- vs post-intervention
- Semaglutiden = 26
- Outcome
- Brain structure and function (MRI: GMV, fALFF, ReHo)
- Follow-up
- 24 weeks
Methodological detailsmultimodal neuroimaging
- Multimodal neuroimaging
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
24 weeks
- Increased grey matter volume (GMV) in the left inferior temporal gyrus
- Decreased fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in the left middle and superior temporal gyri
- Reduced regional homogeneity (ReHo) in the left middle temporal gyrus
- Brain changes not statistically correlated with degree of weight loss or metabolic improvement
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Systemic metabolic health · 24 weeks
- Significant weight loss, reduced glycolipid levels and leukocyte counts
Cognitive task performance (Flanker, N-back) · 24 weeks
- No significant improvement in cognitive task performance
Original publication
Neuroprotective effects of semaglutide targeting the left temporal lobe in adults with overweight or obesity: A 24‐week multimodal neuroimaging study. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 9 February 2026. doi:10.
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