Story - Parkinson - GLP-1 Research Benefits Society
Loyola University Chicago is rooted in the city of Chicago, with campuses on the shores of Lake Michigan, and neighboring the Magnificent Mile downtown.
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Loyola University Chicago is yielding science that benefits society. In the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, a team of researchers used real-world health data to test the connection between novel medications used to treat diabetes and addiction—and the results were astounding.
Researchers at Loyola University Chicago’s Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health have uncovered promising findings that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, often prescribed for diabetes and weight loss, may also reduce the risks associated with opioid and alcohol use disorders.
The study is an example of groundbreaking research at Loyola, and how the innovative, cross-disciplinary approach fostered at the university is yielding science that benefits society.
According to the study published in Addiction, the official journal of the Society for the Study of Addiction, individuals taking GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic) with opioid use disorder experienced a 40% lower rate of opioid overdose, while those with alcohol use disorder saw a 50% reduction in alcohol intoxication.
The findings were remarkable in their magnitude, said Fares Qeadan, associate professor of biostatistics and lead researcher of the study. “My original theory, before Ozempic appeared on the scene, was that if you could find a way to stop one addiction, you could stop other addictions. Our study supports that theory, but we were shocked by the 50% reduction for alcohol and 40% reduction for opioids.”
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Read more about sustainability in businessThe results of the study made waves across the medical community as well as in major media. The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Time and The Hill were among the many media outlets that reported on Qeadan’s discovery.
Qeadan has long researched addiction, and when he heard early reports from doctors that their diabetes patients who were taking Ozempic were also losing weight, he immediately thought of the prospect of using GLP-1 drugs for addictions. “There are many things you can become addicted to—alcohol, gambling or shopping, for instance—and neuroscience says they all work in similar ways,” said Qeadan.
For the study, Qeadan, who was assisted by Benjamin Tingey, database manager and biostatistician, and Ashlie McCunn (MPH ’23), an epidemiologist at Parkinson, accessed the Oracle Health Real-World dataset, which provides masked records on 115 million patients for research purposes. Qeadan and his team queried the database and found about 800,000 patients with alcohol use disorder and just over 500,000 with opioid use disorder. The team then cross-referenced those patients for GLP-1 use. “We definitely had a sense of what our study would show, but the massive numbers we were able to access are what make the results so strong,” said Qeadan. “There is no way these results could be random—you’re talking about one-third of the population of the United States—which is why this was such big news.”
Though the study shows a significant association between the medications and reduced negative outcomes in opioid and alcohol use, Qeadan emphasizes that this is just the beginning. “Our study shows association—it does not solve the root cause of addiction,” Qeadan explained. “But it does show these drugs can reduce negative outcomes, which opens the door to further research and clinical trials.”
My original theory, before Ozempic appeared on the scene, was that if you could find a way to stop one addiction, you could stop other addictions. Our study supports that theory, but we were shocked by the 50% reduction for alcohol and 40% reduction for opioids. Fares Qeadan, Associate Professor of Biostatistics
In his study of addiction, particularly alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder, Qeadan is taking on one of the biggest health issues in the United States. “It touches everyone, and the recidivism rate for opioid use disorder in particular is very high,” said Qeadan. While there are drug therapies on the market for these disorders, Qeadan said they are underutilized. The work of the Loyola team could lead the way to new approved addiction therapies that could save many lives. “I'm humbled about what we have done,” said Qeadan. “So many people have contacted me about it, and our work has reached everywhere in the world and been translated into many different languages.”
Qeadan’s research work on substance use disorders and the opioid epidemic in the U.S. includes barriers to addiction treatment in minority communities. Obtaining a better understanding of the relationship between the GLP-1 prescription drugs and substance use outcomes could mean new and more available treatments for underserved communities. “Our goal was to explore different and alternative ways of treatment to help break the chain of addiction.”
Qeadan points out that the work of his team and similar research in biostatistics could also lead to faster approval for life-changing drugs. “With the use of these massive databases, we could cut maybe five years off the FDA approval process, which could also save billions of dollars.”
In addition to his research, Qeadan has created a new biostatistics track within Loyola’s Master of Public Health program at Parkinson, set to launch in fall 2026. “Biostatistics has been around for a long time, but in recent years you see biostatistics more integrated with public health and epidemiology programs. It’s interdisciplinary and collaborative. We work together with physicians and others to find meaningful answers to unsolved problems,” Qeadan said.
The biostatistics track in Loyola’s Master of Public Health program will teach students advanced biostatistical methods and computing techniques, as well as the critical thinking required to put biostatistics to work finding answers to profound problems. “I don’t just want to teach students how to analyze real-world data and electronic medical records,” Qeadan said. “I want them to understand how powerful real-world data can be in solving major societal challenges—and to appreciate the art and science behind mastering this skill.”
The results of the study made waves across the medical community as well as in major media. The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Time and The Hill were among the many media outlets that reported on Qeadan’s discovery.
Qeadan has long researched addiction, and when he heard early reports from doctors that their diabetes patients who were taking Ozempic were also losing weight, he immediately thought of the prospect of using GLP-1 drugs for addictions. “There are many things you can become addicted to—alcohol, gambling or shopping, for instance—and neuroscience says they all work in similar ways,” said Qeadan.
For the study, Qeadan, who was assisted by Benjamin Tingey, database manager and biostatistician, and Ashlie McCunn (MPH ’23), an epidemiologist at Parkinson, accessed the Oracle Health Real-World dataset, which provides masked records on 115 million patients for research purposes. Qeadan and his team queried the database and found about 800,000 patients with alcohol use disorder and just over 500,000 with opioid use disorder. The team then cross-referenced those patients for GLP-1 use. “We definitely had a sense of what our study would show, but the massive numbers we were able to access are what make the results so strong,” said Qeadan. “There is no way these results could be random—you’re talking about one-third of the population of the United States—which is why this was such big news.”
Though the study shows a significant association between the medications and reduced negative outcomes in opioid and alcohol use, Qeadan emphasizes that this is just the beginning. “Our study shows association—it does not solve the root cause of addiction,” Qeadan explained. “But it does show these drugs can reduce negative outcomes, which opens the door to further research and clinical trials.”
In his study of addiction, particularly alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder, Qeadan is taking on one of the biggest health issues in the United States. “It touches everyone, and the recidivism rate for opioid use disorder in particular is very high,” said Qeadan. While there are drug therapies on the market for these disorders, Qeadan said they are underutilized. The work of the Loyola team could lead the way to new approved addiction therapies that could save many lives. “I'm humbled about what we have done,” said Qeadan. “So many people have contacted me about it, and our work has reached everywhere in the world and been translated into many different languages.”
Qeadan’s research work on substance use disorders and the opioid epidemic in the U.S. includes barriers to addiction treatment in minority communities. Obtaining a better understanding of the relationship between the GLP-1 prescription drugs and substance use outcomes could mean new and more available treatments for underserved communities. “Our goal was to explore different and alternative ways of treatment to help break the chain of addiction.”
Qeadan points out that the work of his team and similar research in biostatistics could also lead to faster approval for life-changing drugs. “With the use of these massive databases, we could cut maybe five years off the FDA approval process, which could also save billions of dollars.”
In addition to his research, Qeadan has created a new biostatistics track within Loyola’s Master of Public Health program at Parkinson, set to launch in fall 2026. “Biostatistics has been around for a long time, but in recent years you see biostatistics more integrated with public health and epidemiology programs. It’s interdisciplinary and collaborative. We work together with physicians and others to find meaningful answers to unsolved problems,” Qeadan said.
The biostatistics track in Loyola’s Master of Public Health program will teach students advanced biostatistical methods and computing techniques, as well as the critical thinking required to put biostatistics to work finding answers to profound problems. “I don’t just want to teach students how to analyze real-world data and electronic medical records,” Qeadan said. “I want them to understand how powerful real-world data can be in solving major societal challenges—and to appreciate the art and science behind mastering this skill.”