LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Touro University Nevada is asking for volunteers to take part in a study on the long-term effects of injectable weight-loss or diabetic medication, such as Ozempic.
The university’s College of Osteopathic Medicine will join the research to study how these drugs can affect gut microbiome health and risk factors tied to neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
“These drugs require lifetime treatment; however, the long-term safety of these drugs still needs to be evaluated,” Dr. Rakesh Singh, associate professor of pharmacology, said in a statement.
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Anyone who is considering taking medication like Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Byetta, Victoza, Adlyxin, Mounjaro, or Zepbound can take part in the research.
Volunteers will have to provide blood and stool samples before research begins to establish a baseline, and then at regular intervals after the treatment begins over the course of two years.
Researchers will use these samples to monitor changes in the gut microbiome and correlate them with blood and brain biomarkers of psychiatric and neurological conditions.
You must be living in the Las Vegas area currently and for the next two years to take part and have not started a drug treatment yet. The study’s preference is for people under 50 years old, and those with certain health conditions and medications might be excluded.
Participants will receive a $25 Amazon gift card at each draw as compensation. Visit tun.Touro.edu/research to learn more.