Research Summary

Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Dapagliflozin improves brain function in type 2 diabetes

Key finding

Dapagliflozin restored odour-induced functional integration of the POC-sensorimotor cortex-middle temporal cortex circuit.

This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of dapagliflozin and liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes, highlighting distinct outcomes on brain function.

Evidence strength

Moderate confidence

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Some Concerns bias

Last updated July 4, 2026

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

Population

Young Adult (19–39), Middle Aged (40-64), Male, Female, Asia-Pacific (APAC), with T2 Diabetes

Intervention

Dapagliflozin, Liraglutide

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Primary outcome

Olfactory task functional connectivity

Comparator

Standard Care

Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study's main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of dapagliflozin and liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes, highlighting distinct outcomes on brain function.

Clinical relevance

Understanding the neuroprotective effects of diabetes medications like dapagliflozin and liraglutide is crucial, as cognitive decline is a significant concern for patients with type 2 diabetes. These findings may guide treatment choices to not only manage diabetes but also protect brain health, potentially improving quality of life.

Keep in mind

Effectiveness of the interventions remains unclear due to insufficient data. The study's sample size and population characteristics may limit generalizability. No long-term follow-up data were provided to assess sustained effects.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Xin L, Yi Z, Yan B, et al. Distinct neuroprotective effects of dapagliflozin and liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism. 2025;27(12):7309-7322. doi:10.1111/dom.70132

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Main Effects

Dapagliflozin restored odour-induced functional integration in specific brain circuits.

Liraglutide enhanced odour-induced activation in the left hippocampus.

Dapagliflozin tended to improve attention (p = 0.071).

Decreased odour-induced directed FC was linked to changes in lipid levels, olfactory threshold, executive function, and memory performance (all p < 0.05).

Evidence network

How this study fits

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Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Dapagliflozin, Liraglutide and Attention improvement, Memory performance, Olfactory task functional connectivity, and 3 more.

This study contributes evidence to

Intervention

Dapagliflozin

Outcome

Attention improvement

Evidence topic

SGLT2 Inhibitors

Primary intervention

Dapagliflozin

Primary outcomes

Attention improvement
Memory performance
Olfactory task functional connectivity

Evidence topics

SGLT2 Inhibitors GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Liraglutide

Primary intervention

Dapagliflozin

Primary outcomes

Attention improvement Memory performance Olfactory task functional connectivity

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

Evidence pairs

Relationships

Evidence topics

contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 72

Why it is useful

Contributes to 7 evidence relationships
Includes primary outcome data
Linked to 3 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Liraglutide → Olfactory task functional connectivity

Evidence profile

StrongIncreaseClinical Outcomes

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Evidence Suggest

Dapagliflozin improved functional connectivity in brain circuits related to smell.
Liraglutide enhanced brain activation linked to memory.
Both drugs showed associations with cognitive improvements and lipid changes.

Who this applies to

Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Patients experiencing cognitive decline or concerns related to diabetes.

Keep in Mind

Results may not be applicable to all diabetes patients due to specific inclusion criteria.
Further research is needed to confirm long-term effects of these medications.
The study did not include a placebo group for comparison.

Between the Lines

Effectiveness of the interventions remains unclear due to insufficient data.
The study's sample size and population characteristics may limit generalizability.
No long-term follow-up data were provided to assess sustained effects.

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on SGLT2 Inhibitors and lipid profiles, SGLT2 Inhibitors and Memory performance.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Archive

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

SGLT2 Inhibitorslipid profiles

Medications

1 studies

Detailed evidence

SGLT2 InhibitorsMemory performance

Medications

Latest published studies

recency_collection

Published within the last 2 years.

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does SGLT2 Inhibitors improve cognitive performance?

Emerging Evidence

SGLT2 Inhibitors appears to improve Cognitive Performance.

ConsensusScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Trail Making Test performance
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 51.7 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.
Consistency cannot yet be determined.
Population details are unavailable.

View Full Evidence

Does Dapagliflozin improve memory performance?

Emerging Evidence

Dapagliflozin appears to improve Memory performance.

ConsensusScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Memory performance
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 51.7 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.
Consistency cannot yet be determined.
Population details are unavailable.

View Full Evidence

Does Dapagliflozin improve olfactory task functional connectivity?

Emerging Evidence

Dapagliflozin appears to improve Olfactory task functional connectivity.

ConsensusScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Olfactory task functional connectivity
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 51.7 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.
Consistency cannot yet be determined.
Population details are unavailable.

View Full Evidence

Does Dapagliflozin improve olfactory threshold?

Emerging Evidence

Dapagliflozin appears to improve Olfactory threshold.

ConsensusScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Olfactory threshold
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 51.7 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.
Consistency cannot yet be determined.
Population details are unavailable.

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Next steps

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Evidence topics

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SGLT2 Inhibitors Evidence Hub GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Evidence Hub Liraglutide Evidence Hub

Explore in archive

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All studies on Dapagliflozin and Olfactory task functional connectivity All studies on Liraglutide and Olfactory task functional connectivity All studies on Dapagliflozin and Memory performance All studies on Dapagliflozin and Olfactory threshold

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Dapagliflozin improves metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes patients Dapagliflozin may improve RAAS markers in diabetes patients Liraglutide is well tolerated in diabetes patients undergoing hemodialysis.Liraglutide may reduce stroke recurrence in type 2 diabetes patients Dapagliflozin shows no long-term harm to bone health in women with diabetes

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