A new study has found that men who take erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs such as Viagra could also be protecting themselves from Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia. The Times reports that researchers found that men taking ED drugs were 18% less likely to develop the disease, compared to men who were not taking them.
The study was observational, meaning that it does not offer clinical proof or scientific explanation for the effect. However, previous studies have pointed to similar outcomes, opening up a potential avenue for further research.
The study involved over 260,000 men and was carried out by researchers at University College London (UCL). Matthew Adesuyan, of the UCL School of Pharmacy, an author of the study, said: “The results are encouraging and may point to a new way to reduce Alzheimer’s risk.”
Viagra (trade name sildenafil) was originally developed as a potential treatment for heart conditions such as angina and to correct high blood pressure. It proved ineffective for this purpose during clinical trials, but an unintentional side effect was noted when men reported the drug caused them to have erections.
The treatment works by inhibiting the effect of an enzyme called PDE-5, which acts against the chemicals that relax the muscle cells in the erectile tissue of the penis. When PDE-5 is inhibited, it helps to increase blood flow to the penis. The researchers believe this may also increase blood flow to the brain by acting on similar cell messengers.
The men who took part in the study had an average age of 59 and reported no previous symptoms of dementia, such as problems with forward planning, logical thinking, and short term memory. The results were adjusted to take into account factors that could increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, such as age, smoking status, and alcohol consumption.
Dr Ruth Brauer, of the UCL School of Pharmacy, lead author of the study, published in the journal Neurology, said:
“Although we’re making progress with the new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that work to clear amyloid plaques in the brain for people with early stages of the disease, we desperately need treatments that can prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease.”
She added: “More research is needed to confirm these findings, learn more about the potential benefits and mechanisms of these drugs and look into the optimal dosage. A randomised, controlled trial with both male and female participants is warranted to determine whether these findings would apply to women as well.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and is thought to affect about 900,000 people in the UK, potentially rising to 1.6 million by 2040. There is no cure, and eventually it causes almost total loss of the bodily functions and is a fatal condition.
Although some promising treatments have been developed recently, there are currently no drugs that significantly prevent or delay the progress of the disease. It is thought the disease is caused by the build up of substances called amyloid and tau in the brain, which form clumps and prevent the brain from functioning properly.
Dr Leah Mursaleen, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Developing drugs for diseases like Alzheimer’s is a costly process and can take many years. Being able to repurpose drugs already licensed for other health conditions could help accelerate progress and open up new avenues to prevent or treat dementia-causing diseases.
She added: “While this is an encouraging finding, it doesn’t yet confirm whether these drugs are directly responsible for reducing Alzheimer’s risk, nor whether they can slow or stop the disease. Further research — including clinical trials — will be needed to confirm whether these drugs can indeed play a role in preventing or treating Alzheimer’s.”
“Such studies should also uncover whether these drugs might have effects in other groups. such as women, and men without a diagnosis of erectile function. We also need to understand how this evidence might apply to more diverse populations. The only way to do this is to keep up momentum in dementia research through continued investment.”
Men who experience persistent problems with ED are advised to consult their doctor to rule out any underlying causes. In many cases it can be treated successfully with lifestyle changes or medication, or a combination of both approaches.
If you are looking for cheap sildenafil, please visit our website today.
Recent Comments