SGLT2i NEUROPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES IN DEPRESSION, AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND EPILEPSY

SGLT2i (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors) are a class of medications widely used in the treatment of diabetic, cardiology and nephrology conditions. Beyond cardioprotection and nephroprotection there are reports that SGLT2i demonstrate additional neuroprotective properties. This article focuses on the clinical features of central nervous system disorders including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder and major depression. We also describe current approach to their therapy and discuss possible treatment options placing the main emphasis on the SGLT2 inhibitors and their potential neuroprotective properties. Methods and materials: A qualitative synthesis of the data focusing on SGLT2i neuroprotective properties in central nervous system was performed. This literature review of SGLT2i effect on major depression, autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy included recent publications, primarily from the past 10 years, and was conducted from January 2026 to July 2026 using the PubMed database. A systematic search was performed using specific keywords and medical subject headings (MeSH terms) related to SGLT2i, depression, autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy. The primary search terms included: “diabetes mellitus”, “SGLT2i”, “depression”, “autism spectrum disorder”, “epilepsy”, “flozins”, and “neuroprotection”. The criteria for inclusion of articles were as follows: published before July 2026, written in English, peer-reviewed original research articles. Exclusion criteria included publications not available in full text, articles in languages other than English. Editorials, commentaries, and conference abstracts without full data were also excluded. Titles and abstracts of the retrieved articles were screened to determine eligibility based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Aim of the study: In this literature review, we aim to provide an integrated overview of neuroprotective properties of SGLT2i and assess their current perspectives in treatment of central nervous system disorders including depression, autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy.