Table 1.

Effects of GLP-1 analogs with relevance for schizophrenia

Unresolved challenges in schizophrenia	Effect of GLP-1 analog treatment	Current level of evidence	Reference(s)
Endocrinological issues
Weight gain (non-diabetes)	Weight loss Improved glycaemic control (1% reduction in HbA1c) Reduction in plasma levels of cholesterol and liver enzymes Improved beta cell function Reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure	Prospective RCT* (2 years) and systematic review with meta-analyses of RCTs*	[35,36]
Diabetes (dysmetabolism)	Weight loss Improved glycaemic control (1% reduction in HbA1c) Reduction in plasma levels of cholesterol and liver enzymes Improved beta cell function Reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure	Cochrane systematic review and systematic review with meta-analyses of RCTs*	[35,72]
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease	Reduction of hepatic lipid deposition	Preclinical studies	[37,38]
Neuropsychiatric issues
Cognition	Improvement of memory deficits	Preclinical studies	[41,43]
Extrapyramidal side effects	Reduction of dyskinesia and regeneration of dopaminergic neurons	Preclinical studies	[45,46]
Neuroprotection	Increased neurogenesis and modulation of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus	Preclinical studies	[43,44]
Quality of life	Improved well-being and reduced Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale after six months compared to diabetic patients treated with insulin (the improvement was found to be independent of changes in body mass index)	Prospective, observational study	[73]

*RCT: Randomized clinical trial.