• Yangliuqing He, Fenrong Liang, Yiming Wang, Yuhan Wei, and Tianpei Ma.
• Clinical Medicine College of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 May 3; 103 (18): e37928e37928.

BackgroundGlucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) like liraglutide are primarily used for managing blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes and aiding weight loss. Typically, their adverse effects are gastrointestinal, with limited exploration into their impact on mental health.Case PresentationThis report examines a 39-year-old male with type 2 diabetes who developed depressive symptoms after starting liraglutide for glycemic control and weight reduction. Symptoms included poor mood, irritability, decreased interest and energy, progressing to sadness, low self-esteem, and physical discomfort. A clinical diagnosis of a depressive episode was made, coinciding with the initiation of liraglutide.Intervention And OutcomeThe patient depressive symptoms significantly improved within a week after discontinuing liraglutide and starting antidepressant therapy. This suggests a possible link between liraglutide and depression, despite considering other factors like diabetes-related stress.DiscussionThe report explores potential mechanisms, such as GLP-1RA effects on glucose fluctuations and dopamine modulation, which might contribute to depressive symptoms. The influence on the brain reward system and the reduction in cravings for addictive substances after GLP-1RA use is also discussed as a factor in mood regulation.ConclusionThis case highlights the necessity of being vigilant about potential psychiatric side effects, particularly depression, associated with GLP-1RAs. The rarity of such reports calls for more research to investigate and understand these implications further.Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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