Neurologists are issuing a stark warning to the public. The same mechanism that makes GLP-1 agonists effective for weight loss could prove disastrous for patients with neurodegenerative disorders like ALS.
Dr. Jinsy Andrews, Director of NYU Langone’s ALS Center, states that for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, rapid weight loss can trigger a catastrophic decline in physical function. Clinical guidelines for ALS typically recommend that patients maintain or even gain weight to preserve remaining muscle mass.
A 2025 peer-reviewed case study documents the stark risk. A 52-year-old ALS patient prescribed semaglutide for type 2 diabetes lost 25 pounds in just three months. During that time, her physical decline accelerated ten-fold. Upon discontinuing the drug, her rapid deterioration stabilized.
Dr. Andrews emphasized that clinicians must exercise extreme caution and context when prescribing these drugs. While GLP-1s offer major benefits for obesity and cardiovascular health in the general population, their use in patients with underlying neurodegenerative conditions requires critical evaluation.