Lixisenatide attenuates the detrimental effects of amyloid β protein on spatial working memory and hippocampal neurons in rats.

•Lixisenatide, a drug already on the market to treat diabetes, shows neuroprotective effects.•In a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease, lixisenatide prevented memory loss induced by amyloid ICV injection.•Intracellular calcium levels were normalised by the drug.•The protective effect was blocked by a MEK1/2 kinase inhibitor.