Getty ImagesAccording to a study, men who use medication for erectile dysfunction like Viagra may have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study, which involved over 260,000 men, found that those taking these drugs were 18% less likely to develop the condition. However, further research is necessary to establish a causal relationship. Additionally, two new drugs for Alzheimer’s have shown promise in slowing the disease’s progression in its early stages by targeting beta amyloid, a substance that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Despite this, researchers continue to explore existing medications that could potentially prevent or delay the onset of the disease.Originally developed to treat high blood pressure and angina, drugs like Viagra affect brain cell activity and are believed to have a protective effect on the brain. The study, published in Neurology, analyzed the prescription records of thousands of men with erectile dysfunction, comparing those who were prescribed the drugs with those who were not. Over the following five years, the group prescribed the drugs had 8.1 cases of Alzheimer’s per 10,000 person years, compared to 9.7 cases in the group not taking them. Interestingly, men who received the most prescriptions for these drugs were least likely to develop Alzheimer’s, suggesting that regular use of the medication may have a more significant impact on the disease.The study’s lead author, Dr. Ruth Brauer, emphasized the need for further research to validate the findings, gain a better understanding of the potential benefits and mechanisms of these drugs, and determine the optimal dosage. The researchers also aim to conduct a trial involving women to investigate any potential impact of the drugs. Despite adjusting their findings for various factors such as age, underlying health conditions, other medications, and smoking habits, the study does not definitively prove that erectile dysfunction drugs reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Nevertheless, it provides compelling evidence that this type of drug warrants further investigation in the future, according to Prof Tara Spires-Jones from the University of Edinburgh and president of the British Neuroscience Association.Neurophysiologist Dr. Francesco Tamagnini from the University of Reading described the study as “excellent,” but stressed the need for more substantial evidence on how the drug affects the brain. He suggested that further research is required to test hypotheses regarding the drug’s direct therapeutic effect on neurons and its potential to increase blood flow.
