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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) surged by 2. 66 points to close at 2, 780. 25 points on Wednesday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 93 points to close at 475. 44 points.

A total of 13,521,619-unit shares of 347 companies were traded for Rs 1. 58 billion.

Meanwhile, Kalinchock Hydropower Limited (KHPL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 14. 99 percent.

Similarly, Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (NRIC) was the top loser as its price fell by 5. 18 points. 

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 74 trillion.

Once known primarily as treatments for diabetes and obesity, GLP 1 receptor agonists are now at the center of an unexpected scientific shift, one that extends far beyond blood sugar control and into the brain itself. Medications such as semaglutide, liraglutide, and exenatide are being studied for their potential to influence the course of neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke recovery, and even addiction. Researchers say this growing interest stems from a simple but powerful observation: these drugs do not act solely on the pancreas. They also affect inflammation, metabolism, and cellular survival pathways throughout the nervous system.

From metabolic medicine to brain health

GLP 1, or glucagon like peptide 1, is a naturally occurring hormone released by the intestine after meals. It plays an important role in regulating insulin secretion, appetite, and blood glucose levels. GLP 1 receptor agonists were developed to mimic these effects and have become widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

For many years, scientists viewed GLP 1 drugs primarily through the lens of metabolic health. However, that perspective began to change when researchers discovered that GLP 1 receptors are also present throughout the central nervous system, including regions involved in learning, memory, reward processing, and motor control. This finding opened an entirely new area of investigation. If these drugs could influence key brain circuits, could they also help protect neurons from degeneration and injury? Although definitive answers remain elusive, growing evidence suggests that the connection between metabolism and brain health is much stronger than previously believed.

Parkinson’s disease: A leading area of investigation

Among neurological disorders, Parkinson’s disease has emerged as one of the most promising targets for GLP 1 based therapies. The disease is characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, and slowed movement.

Researchers were initially drawn to GLP 1 drugs because laboratory studies consistently showed that they could reduce neuroinflammation, improve mitochondrial function, and decrease oxidative stress. Since all of these processes are thought to contribute to neuronal degeneration, scientists began exploring whether the benefits seen in experimental models could translate into patients.

That possibility gained attention following a landmark study published in The Lancet in 2017. The study found that people with Parkinson’s disease who received exenatide experienced sustained improvements in motor function compared with those receiving placebo. Building on these findings, a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome concluded that GLP 1 receptor agonists continue to show encouraging signals in Parkinson’s disease, although larger and longer clinical trials remain necessary.

As a result, these medications have become one of the most closely watched therapeutic approaches in Parkinson’s research. While it remains uncertain whether they can truly slow disease progression, the consistency of findings across both laboratory and clinical studies has generated considerable optimism.

Expanding interest in Alzheimer’s disease

The interest in GLP 1 drugs does not stop with Parkinson’s disease. Researchers are also investigating whether these medications might play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia worldwide.

Several studies suggest that GLP 1 receptor activation may help reduce neuroinflammation, improve brain energy metabolism, and influence the accumulation of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s pathology. Interest intensified following findings from the ELAD trial, reported in 2024, which suggested that liraglutide treatment was associated with reduced loss of brain volume in regions linked to memory and cognition.

Although these findings do not yet demonstrate a clear clinical benefit, they provide additional support for the idea that metabolic pathways may influence neurodegenerative disease. Larger studies are now underway to determine whether these biological effects can translate into meaningful improvements for patients.

Targeting addiction through the brain’s reward system

Another unexpected area of research involves addiction. Traditionally, addiction therapies have focused on specific substances or behavioral interventions. GLP 1 receptor agonists, however, may affect broader reward pathways within the brain.

These drugs interact with regions such as the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, which play central roles in motivation and reward processing. In animal studies, GLP 1 receptor activation has been associated with reduced alcohol consumption and decreased seeking behaviors for nicotine, cocaine, and other addictive substances.

These findings have attracted growing attention from addiction researchers. A 2024 review published in Pharmacological Research described GLP 1 receptor agonists as a promising therapeutic target for substance use disorders. Nevertheless, evidence in humans remains limited, and much more research will be needed before these drugs can be considered viable treatments for addiction.

Potential benefits after stroke and brain injury

Beyond chronic neurological diseases, scientists are also exploring whether GLP 1 drugs could help the brain recover from acute injuries. Experimental studies suggest that these medications may reduce neuronal death, improve blood flow, and limit inflammatory damage following stroke or traumatic brain injury. If confirmed in human studies, such effects could help preserve brain tissue and support recovery after neurological insults. Although clinical evidence remains limited at present, the findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that GLP 1 receptor agonists may have broad neuroprotective properties.

How might GLP 1 drugs protect the brain?

As research expands, scientists are gradually piecing together the mechanisms that may explain the neurological effects of GLP 1 drugs. One important mechanism appears to be the reduction of neuroinflammation through the modulation of immune activity within the brain. Because chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a contributor to many neurological disorders, this effect could have widespread implications.

Another mechanism involves cellular energy production. GLP 1 receptor activation appears to support mitochondrial function and improve energy metabolism within neurons. Since brain cells require enormous amounts of energy to function properly, enhanced metabolic efficiency may help them withstand stress and injury. Researchers have also reported evidence that GLP 1 signaling may influence the accumulation of abnormal proteins, including alpha synuclein in Parkinson’s disease and amyloid beta in Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, these drugs may improve insulin signaling within the brain, a process increasingly linked to cognitive function and neurodegeneration. 

A comprehensive review published in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy in 2024 highlighted these mechanisms and concluded that GLP 1 receptor activation may exert broad neuroprotective effects across multiple neurological conditions.

Promise tempered by caution

Despite the growing excitement, researchers emphasize that GLP 1 receptor agonists are not currently approved specifically for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, addiction, stroke recovery, or traumatic brain injury. Much of the available evidence still comes from animal studies and early clinical trials. Furthermore, common side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort, may limit tolerability in some individuals.

Most importantly, scientists do not yet know whether these medications can truly alter the underlying course of neurological diseases or whether their benefits are primarily symptomatic. The answer to that question will depend on the results of several large clinical trials currently underway.

A new chapter in Neuroscience

What began as a class of metabolic medications has evolved into one of the most intriguing areas of modern neuroscience research. More broadly, the growing interest in GLP 1 receptor agonists reflect a shift in how scientists think about neurological disease. Rather than viewing the brain in isolation, researchers increasingly recognize that metabolism, inflammation, and nervous system health are deeply interconnected. Whether these drugs ultimately become disease modifying therapies remains uncertain. Even so, the scientific momentum behind this field is undeniable. Each new study strengthens the case that pathways associated mainly with diabetes and obesity may hold important clues to protect the brain.

For now, cautious optimism remains the prevailing view. The evidence is promising, but the next generation of clinical trials will determine whether GLP 1 drugs can fulfill their considerable potential in neurology. If they do, they may open a new chapter in the treatment of some of the most challenging neurological disorders of our time.

Sobhagyawati Lohala, a 65-year-old resident of Bhaktapur, feels frightened when watching videos on her Facebook. Her feed is full of fake war videos showing drones attacking cities, AI-generated machines transforming humans into sausages, and giant animals destroying urban areas. When told that such videos were fabricated and created using artificial intelligence, she was initially reluctant to believe it.

Lohala is clearly unaware of how fake and AI-generated contents are produced. Her son, Govinda, says he has repeatedly tried to explain the issue to her, but to no avail. “I have blocked many accounts that share these kinds of posts, but I still don’t know how they keep appearing on her feed,” he said.

Lohala’s experience reflects a broader trend. Increasingly, people consume news and information through short videos on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. In the past, people primarily relied on newspapers, television broadcasts, and long-form articles to stay informed. Today, however, audiences seek information instantly. Waiting for an evening news bulletin or reading a lengthy article can feel too time-consuming in a fast-paced digital environment.

Short-form news content caters to this demand by delivering updates on breaking events and trending topics within seconds. As a result, social media platforms prioritize short, engaging videos that quickly capture attention and encourage continuous consumption.

This trend can be understood through the Uses and Gratifications Theory, which argues that audiences are not passive consumers of media. Instead, they actively choose platforms and content that satisfy their psychological and social needs. In the context of short-form videos, users seek convenience, immediacy, entertainment, and quick access to information. The popularity of reels and short videos reflects how audiences use media to fulfill these needs, making bite-sized news content an increasingly influential source of information.

As a consequence, people often spend hours discussing topics that may not be accurate. Many tend to believe whatever is presented in the videos they watch. Elderly users, in particular, are often vulnerable because they may have lower levels of digital literacy. As a result, they can struggle to distinguish between real and fake information and are more likely to believe AI-generated videos.

While adapting to technological change is important, digital literacy has become equally essential. As more people consume information online, the spread of misinformation—false information shared without the intent to deceive—and disinformation—false information deliberately shared to mislead—has become increasingly common. This raises concerns about whether audiences can effectively distinguish credible information from misleading content in the digital age.

Utsab Acharya, 17, represents a generation that has grown up with social media as a central part of daily life while also being familiar with traditional news media. Unlike Lohala, he is skeptical of many videos and reels that present themselves as news. Acharya believes it is the responsibility of individuals to distinguish between real and fake information. According to him, doing so can help protect people from scams, fake news, and other forms of misinformation.

Bitish Karmacharya, 24, says he receives most of his information through social media and often struggles to differentiate between social media content and professional news media. However, he is aware of the problem of fake news.

“I usually decide whether to trust information based on the page that posted it,” he said. “Some news pages share trustworthy content, and nowadays most news organizations also have social media pages that I follow.”

Short-form videos have become one of the primary ways people receive information. Their fast-paced and engaging nature aligns with modern viewing habits, allowing users to absorb content in seconds while scrolling through their feeds. A 30- to 60-second clip is often easier to consume than a lengthy article. These videos are highly engaging, easy to share, and frequently promoted by platform algorithms, enabling them to reach large audiences rapidly. As a result, short-form video has become a powerful tool for entertainment, education, and information sharing.
Another reason behind the engagement might be the monetization strategy. It is where people earn through posting videos, reaching certain followers and gaining certain views. This has become another part of people’s earnings. Some use it as a platform to earn by posting various video contents which results in positive and negative feedback.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization warned of an “infodemic”, an overwhelming flood of information that included false claims about vaccines, treatments, and the virus itself. Similar patterns emerge during election periods, when misinformation spreads rapidly through social media videos and influences political discussions, voter perceptions, and voting patterns. 

The rise of artificial intelligence has further complicated the situation. AI tools now make it possible to create highly realistic fake videos, audio recordings, and images at relatively low cost. These sophisticated creations are often difficult to distinguish from authentic content, making it increasingly challenging for ordinary users to identify manipulated media.

Taranath Dahal, a digital rights activist, said social media platforms were originally designed primarily for entertainment rather than news delivery.

“However, with younger generations increasingly relying on these platforms as their primary sources of information, they have become major channels for news consumption,” he said. “The challenge is that news presented in short formats can often create confusion and contribute to misinformation.”

According to Dahal, a lack of media literacy remains a significant challenge across all age groups. He noted that social media platforms are particularly appealing to people who spend considerable time on digital devices.

“There has not been extensive research on the issue,” he added, “but younger generations have grown up in a digital environment and are therefore more likely to consume news and information through social media and other new media platforms.”

Dahal also expressed concern about the growing influence of AI-generated content. However, he cautioned against assuming that all AI-generated videos are inherently fake or harmful. 

“Many AI-generated videos can be informative and serve useful purposes when created responsibly,” he said. “But it is important to verify such content before accepting or sharing it, as the increasing sophistication of AI tools makes it more difficult to distinguish between authentic and manipulated media.”

Over the last few weeks, there has been an intense conversation about reforming the national education system. The debate started with the decision by what has now been redenominated as the Ministry of Education and Sports to cancel formal examinations for Grade 5 students.

The news has been welcomed by educationalists and practitioners as an important milestone to modernize the whole education sector. Yet while this shift can have a profound impact, I am wondering if we are missing the bigger picture in this conversation.

I do trust the expertise and knowledge of those who are being involved in this field and I do hope that this reform can generate a new momentum for even more ambitious reforms, especially for the public, community-run schools. It is important to remind ourselves that the vast majority of these schools are still vastly behind their private counterparts and I am not just referring to infrastructure.

In this regard, it is worthy to note that the important public resources have been invested in upgrading local schools and the outcome of this effort is clearly visible. While the focus of the conversation on education is often, and correctly so, centered on how to enhance quality education, having better, more modern and ideally more welcoming facilities can be an important factor that positively influences and determines teachers’ motivation and enthusiasm.

It is also, in a way, about dignity and respect and not only those of the teachers and other professionals working in the schools but also children. Learning in larger classrooms that are also better equipped can make the difference. Recently visiting a community school on the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley, I admired the use of smart touchscreen technology installed in each classroom.

Yet, in the majority of cases, the infrastructure hosting these schools, despite the modernization process they underwent, remain inadequate and far from modern standards.

At the same time, the way the learning process continues to be off mark and well below what we should expect from a quality public education system is a major concern. Probably we will have to wait for more systemic and ambitious reforms by the new Federal Government, including a rise in the educational requirements to be able to teach, a complex and costly process that cannot happen overnight.

Setting higher standards and reviewing the license system in a way that would also cover primary education is also difficult because it would mean solving the conundrum of temporary teachers, many of whom would end up losing their jobs.

We are talking about thousands and thousands of jobs here and a bold reform must start from the foundations of the learning system, when children, many of whom are deprived of the possibility of attending Early Childhood Education, join the primary education cycle. Because it is here where the future trajectories of a child are shaped and it is here where their professional paths start.

It is not preposterous to tie ECD experiences and the learning outcomes stemming from primary education to a child’s chances of succeeding or failing at life. There is a mountain of evidence that shows the correlation between these two, studies that prove that investments in early stages of the learning cycle do considerably pay off after many years.

The nexus is evident: children attending public schools could have a different, better future if they were really engaged in a meaningful learning process, would directly and clearly benefit the whole society because of the contributions these students would be able to give to the country’s economy.

A study, “The Role of Education Quality in Economic Growth” by Eric A. Hanushek and Ludger Wößmann highlights “how educational quality—measured by what people know—has powerful effects on individual earnings, on the distribution of income, and on economic growth”.

The same research clearly states that “just providing added resources to schools is unlikely to be successful; improving the quality of schools will take structural changes in institutions”.

In short, the focus on enrollment has been important and considerable success has been achieved in this area but this is simply not enough. Pursuing changes in the national education system needs to go beyond a sectoral, silos oriented approach.

Let’s not forget that public, community schools remain epicenters of national poverty because only low-income families send their children to these institutions.

Poor families send their children to institutions that are very accessible compared to private institutions (the fact that they are totally free must be demystified because some charges do still take place) but these schools still remain unable to bring transformative changes in the lives of these children.

Classrooms are still crowded and unfit regardless of the presence of smartboards. The quality of teaching remains low or, at very best, questionable. Sports are not practiced nor encouraged in the same ways they are in many private schools. Moreover, there is no mixing and interactions with children from more privileged backgrounds, entrenching historical discrimination and inequities. Poor children interact with poor kids and this is not a problem per se.

Lack of social mobility is the real issue here. These are determinants of a child’s future life trajectory. Of course there are outliers, excellent students from disadvantaged backgrounds attending public schools and are able to outperform many peers from more privileged backgrounds but what about the majority of these kids?

Who is serving us in cafés, who is attending to us in the supermarkets? You can imagine the answer and these are, in many ways, already success stories. What about those kids ending up in the streets or doing extremely precarious and dangerous occupations?

There is no job that does not deserve respect but why do only certain children always end up doing certain jobs? Tackling inequities in the society would bring more economic development and this would be a win-win for kids from vulnerable backgrounds but also for the broader society.

Can the new government try to untangle the inextricable and self-preserving nexus of inequity, low quality education and insecurity and marginalization that so far has been so unbreakable? It is worthy of reviewing UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children 2025, Ending child poverty: Our shared imperative.

Efforts at improving public community schools of Nepal cannot be delinked from an even more daunting mission of dealing with poverty and marginalization.

This report could not be clearer: “For children, poverty undermines their health and development, limits their ability to learn and leads to weaker job prospects, shorter lives and higher rates of depression and anxiety. For societies, poverty undermines future economic prosperity and by depriving communities of hope, it creates conditions in which violence and extremism can thrive”.

While it is certainly positive that the recently announced budget has increased the allocation of the education sector by Rs 7bn compared to the current fiscal year, allocating a total of Rs 218.3bn for the education sector, we need a very focused effort to transform the public education system.

There has also been an emphasis on scholarships and school meals for children from Dalit community and this is very positive. Yet a much bigger vision is required. The state, with the support of the civil society (this cannot be discounted at the moment, considering the crisis that most of the NGOs are facing) must indeed turbocharge the goal of bringing quality education in the local community schools.

Abolishing formal exams in Grade 5 can be the linchpin of a broader reform—one that goes beyond education alone to give underprivileged children a better life. 

Everything must be put under discussion. Are all local governments able to support and fulfil their mandates in the educational sector? How can a new crop of teachers be phased in a way that does not disrupt the system? How can social workers and mentors paid by the state be involved to support the many cases of dysfunctional families that are disrupting so many children’s lives? The stakes cannot be higher.

Children from vulnerable families must have the right to a successful and meaningful life and not end up doing low paid jobs simply because they never had the opportunities to imagine a different future. While it might be expensive to design and implement a welfare centered public education system, there is no doubt that, in the long term, such a system would bring transformational changes in the society, turning Nepal into an equity oriented nation.