Revolutionary Study: Viagra as a Potential Ally in the Fight Against Dementia
The famous blue pills may have an unexpected benefit. Viagra, commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction, is now being considered as part of the remedy to help prevent dementia, as reported by The Independent. It has recently been identified as a potential fighter against Alzheimer’s disease as well. Vascular dementia is the second leading cause of dementia in the elderly, after Alzheimer’s. Currently, more than 55 million people worldwide are affected by dementia, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford has revealed that the medication, also known as sildenafil, improves the function of blood vessels in the brain of patients at increased risk of developing vascular dementia. Published in Circulation Research, the research focused on seventy-five individuals who had experienced a minor stroke and showed signs of mild or moderate small vessel disease.
During the study, participants were given Viagra, a placebo, and cilostazol (a similar medication) over three-week periods in a random order. Researchers observed that Viagra increased blood flow in both small and large brain vessels, as well as reduced vessel resistance, which is significant in the cause of vascular dementia. Chronic damage to small blood vessels in the brain is the most common cause of this condition, for which there is currently no specific therapy. However, experts believe that this research could transform not only the treatment but also the prevention of vascular dementia.
“This is the first trial to show that sildenafil is effective in the treatment of vascular dementia. It demonstrates that it enters the brain’s blood vessels in people with this condition, improving blood flow and vessel reactivity,” explains Alastair Webb, an associate professor at the Wolfson Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia at Oxford. Additionally, the study found that Viagra caused fewer side effects than cilostazol, particularly less diarrhea. “This demonstrates the potential of this well-tolerated and widely available medication to prevent dementia,” Webb adds. Researchers, however, note that larger-scale trials are needed to confirm these results and further explore the potential of Viagra in preventing vascular dementia.