Mol Biol Rep. 2025 Jun 5;52(1):550. doi: 10.1007/s11033-025-10641-w.

ABSTRACT

Research in psychiatry requires substantial resources and interdisciplinary collaboration. The investigation of liraglutide’s potential to reduce depressive symptoms is a pioneering and novel approach. that ventures into underexplored mechanisms bridging metabolic and psychiatric domains. Originally approved for the management of type 2 diabetes, it has increasingly emerged as a potential therapeutic candidate in the complex landscape of mental health disorders. being examined for its ability to modulate depressive symptomatology, acting as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. However, its action extends beyond traditional monoaminergic pathways, also influencing neuroplasticity, synaptic remodeling, and neuroinflammatory processes. Recent studies have shown preclinical and early-phase clinical insights into how liraglutide modulates mood-related neural circuits. These findings suggest mechanistic distinctions from conventional antidepressant pharmacotherapies. This manuscript presents a research gap. Specifically, it addresses gaps in both mechanistic understanding and translational potential, where liraglutide’s dual impact bridges the traditional divide between psychiatric and metabolic medicine. Liraglutide has demonstrated benefits in improving both glycemic control and depressive symptoms. These integrated effects position it as a candidate for dual-purpose interventions in patients with comorbid metabolic and psychiatric disorders. Scientists have shown details of how liraglutide affects depression. Emerging evidence remains preliminary yet promising, encouraging researchers to explore, question, and refine current psychiatric treatment models. In an era prioritizing biologically integrated therapeutics, liraglutide exemplifies the evolution of psychiatric drug development. In a field where innovation is key, liraglutide is a testament to evolving science. It provides a model for how metabolic agents may contribute to the future landscape of mental health therapeutics.

PMID:40471368 | DOI:10.1007/s11033-025-10641-w