Viagra and similar medications could lower Alzheimer’s risk by 18%
A new study has shown that medications commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, may help reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 18%. The research, led by University College London (UCL), followed 269,725 men who had been newly diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. Over an average period of five years, the data revealed a significant difference in Alzheimer’s risk for those using erectile dysfunction drugs, including sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and other phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors).
The research focused on participants aged around 59, who initially had no signs of memory or cognitive issues. Of those studied, 55% were prescribed PDE5 inhibitors. Compared to those who did not receive these drugs, users were found to be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s later in life.
Researchers believe the mechanism behind this protective effect could be linked to how these drugs help improve blood flow. PDE5 inhibitors were originally created to treat conditions like hypertension and angina but have since been linked to better cognition. It’s suggested that they may impact brain cell activity by crossing the blood-brain barrier and influencing cognitive functions, offering potential benefits in protecting against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Lead author Dr. Ruth Brauer from UCL’s School of Pharmacy called for further studies to confirm these findings and determine the exact impact and optimal dosage of these drugs. “More research is needed to understand how these medications work and whether they could help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s,” Dr. Brauer explained. The study advocates for more clinical trials to explore whether these drugs could offer similar benefits for women and other at-risk groups.
Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Head of Research, Dr. Leah Mursaleen, highlighted the potential benefits of repurposing existing drugs to address Alzheimer’s. While the study’s results are encouraging, she stressed that further trials are required to definitively determine the drugs’ role in preventing or treating dementia-related conditions.
