The famous blue pills could have an unexpected benefit. Viagra, commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction, is now being considered as a possible remedy to help prevent dementia, as reported by The Independent. It had already been identified as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. 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 drug, also known as sildenafil, improves the function of brain blood vessels in 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 to moderate small vessel disease. During the study, participants were given Viagra, a placebo, and cilostazol (a similar medication) over three-week periods in random order. Researchers found that Viagra increased blood flow in both small and large brain blood vessels, and that Viagra and cilostazol reduced the resistance of these vessels.
Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow in the brain, with chronic damage to small brain blood vessels being the most common cause. Currently, there is no specific therapy for this disease. Experts believe that this research could potentially transform not only the treatment but also the prevention of vascular dementia.
“This is the first trial to show that sildenafil is effective in treating vascular dementia. It shows that it penetrates brain blood vessels in people with this disease, 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 fewer instances of diarrhea. “This demonstrates the potential of this well-tolerated and widely available medication to prevent dementia,” Webb continues. However, the researchers note that further large-scale trials are needed to confirm these results and explore the potential of Viagra in preventing vascular dementia.