Cardio- and neuroprotective role of glucagon-like receptor-1 agonists in reducing the incidence of ischemic stroke accompanying type 2 diabetes

The stroke is the second most common cause of death and the third most common cause of disability worldwide. All forms of diabetes are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, the risk being particularly high in type 2 diabetes. The risk of stroke is 1.5-2 times that of non -diabetics of the same age and increases proportionally with the time since the manifestation. Several groups of antidiabetics - especially thiazolidinediones, sodium -glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon-like peptide -1 receptor agonists - have been proven to reduce circulatory risk. In particular, the possible cardio- and neuroprotective role of the latter group has recently come to the forefront of interest. This article reviews the characteristics of the occurrence of stroke accompanying diabetes, the pathogenetic background of the risk -reducing and potential stroke -preventing effect of glucagon-like peptide -1 receptor agonists as well as the favorable human clinical observations related to their use. It is pointed out that a therapeutic strategy following current treatment guidelines offers hope for reducing the incidence of stroke associated with diabetes and for changing the outcome, which at present is even worse than that of non -diabetic patients.