> This is a Novo Nordisk-funded study focusing on predictive biomarkers rather than real-world dementia cases
You act like all this is hidden, but the title of the article and the list of authors makes this self-evident.
> Novo Nordisk's actual dedicated clinical trials for Alzheimer's completely failed to show that semaglutide stops cognitive decline
Sure, but the EVOKE studies were focused on something that could be sold as a product covered by insurance: semaglutide to those who had already developed Alzheimer’s. It is widely agreed the trial failed because it was a population already diagnosed with dementia. There’s lots of studies not funded by Novo that show semiglutatide has reduced the incidence of dementia in the diabetes population. Novo knows that running a general study on whether semaglutide reduces dementia in a non-diagnosed population is useless to their bottom line because insurance will never pay for everyone to take the drug.
It wasn't even funded in the way funding a study usually means. That an entity handed over money to a research group. The study was done by employers in their work time for their salary. Its a Novo Nordisk study, and as you say its right there in the open. Pointing an llm against the paper to (wrongly) realize this is a real tragedy of literacy.
I think it rubs plenty of laymen the wrong way to not make it a bit more explicitly known.
The world could use a bit less nuance in our headlines these days.
> [...] not make it a bit more explicitly known.
Honest question, how could it be made more explicitly known? It's literally under ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, in the most clear language possible.
The article title is fine. The title posted to HN (and other forums) should have outro or intro:
In a study funded by X, "Semaglutide linked to lower predicted dementia risk"
Or
"Semaglutide linked to lower predicted dementia risk", in a study funded by X.
This is a fair addendum that should be added when cross posting across websites. It need not be in the original link title. And this type of declaration should really follow most cross posted titles where a perceived bias/skepticism might otherwise be triggered without that knowledge being included. It's an explicit declaration upfront of potential conflicts.
It's never enough for purity tests.
You seem to be arguing that people shouldn't be skeptical, by default, of studies of products that are funded by the companies that make the products.
They funded this study as a prospective way of increasing the adoption and market share of their trademarked medication. It deserves skepticism.