Causal association between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and mental disorders: insight from genetic and real-world evidence

Chenhao Ouyang; Xiaoyue Zhang; Minghai Zhang; Miao Yan; Zicheng Zhu; Yunting Zeng; Hong Ban; Yuting Wu; Nanqin Peng; Xinyu Liu; Chen Li; Deju Zhang; Peng Yu; Jing Zhang; Xiao Liu; Ting Huang

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2026.121452

February 17, 2026Journal of Affective Disorders

Causal association between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and mental disorders: insight from genetic and real-world evidence

View at Publisher

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Why the study?

GLP-1 receptor agonists have been debated regarding their potential association with mental disorders.

Do GLP-1RAs increase the risk of mental disorders?

Key Points

Mental disorders were causally associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, indicating potential therapeutic effects.
The analysis identified significant genetic evidence supporting this association, with implications for drug repurposing strategies.
Observational studies across diverse populations reinforce the findings from genetic evidence, highlighting the necessity for deeper investigations.
These results may enable more tailored approaches in treating mental health issues through existing GLP-1 receptor medications.

Structured PICO

Do GLP-1RAs increase the risk of mental disorders?

P

Population

Populations from genetic datasets and clinical studies (details not specified in abstract)

I

Intervention

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) / Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) genetic proxies

O

Outcome

Mental disorders (anxiety, bipolar affective disorders, chronic depression, depression, eating disorders, suicide, and schizophrenia)safety

Both Mendelian randomization and meta-analysis of real-world evidence suggest that GLP-1RA use does not increase the risk of mental disorders.

Ask about this paper

Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.

Implication

Reassures clinicians on psychiatric safety of GLP-1RAs; confirms no causal link via MR and real-world evidence.[[1]](https://www.sciencedirect.

Abstract

No abstract yet. The journal hasn't published one we can show.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Cite This Study

Ouyang et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a761f4c6e9836116a300b9 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2026.121452

View at Publisher

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Causal association between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and mental disorders: insight from genetic and real-world evidence

Key Points

Structured PICO

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Causal association between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and mental disorders: insight from genetic and real-world evidence

Key Points

Structured PICO

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Keep reading

Keep reading