Men who use medications to address erectile dysfunction may also be decreasing their chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. A study conducted in the United Kingdom revealed a correlation between phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5s) – a class of drugs including Viagra and Cialis – and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, the most prevalent form of dementia.
The research carried out at the University College London School of Pharmacy analyzed the medical records of nearly 270,000 men who were newly diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. These men did not exhibit cognitive impairments and had an average age of 59. Over an average follow-up period of five years, researchers monitored these individuals, adjusting for variables such as smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and other factors that could influence Alzheimer’s risk. Published recently in the journal Neurology, the study unveiled that men utilizing erectile dysfunction medications were 18% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared to those who did not.
“This marks an intriguing beginning,” emphasized Ruth Brauer, Ph.D., co-author of the study, speaking to publishers. She emphasized, “However, it’s important to note that correlation does not imply causation.” Additionally, Brauer noted that men who received the highest number of prescriptions during the study period experienced the most significant decrease in risk.
How Viagra may Protect Against Alzheimer’s?
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5s) function by inducing blood vessel relaxation. These medications include:
- sildenafil (Viagra)
- tadalafil (Cialis)
- vardenafil (Levitra), and
- avanafil (Stendra),
These drugs are approved in the U.S. for treating erectile dysfunction and were all part of the study.
“However,” Brauer remarks, citing a 2019 Journal Behavioral Brain Research review, “these drugs demonstrated in animal models that their vasodilatory effects extend to the brain.” She adds, “These animal models suggest that increased cerebral blood flow might have neuroprotective properties.”
Noting the inconclusiveness of similar observational studies conducted in humans thus far, Brauer and her colleagues aimed to contribute their findings. While the initial results are promising, Brauer emphasizes the necessity for further studies, particularly randomized controlled trials.
Researchers had to rely on a crucial assumption in their analysis: that the men who were prescribed the drugs adhered to their usage instructions.
“We only have access to data on who is prescribed the drugs. We lack information on who retrieves the prescription from a pharmacy and cannot determine who ultimately consumes the medication,” explains Brauer. “Given that individuals who proactively seek PDE5 inhibitors from their GP are likely motivated to use them, we infer that prescriptions correlate with actual usage.”
Can Women Take ED Drugs to Stave off Alzheimer’s?
PDE5 inhibitors are not authorized for use in women in the U.S. Moreover, Brauer emphasizes that it would be imprudent to administer such medications to healthy women without a guaranteed benefit.
However, Brauer envisions forthcoming trials encompassing participants of all genders experiencing mild cognitive decline, aiming to assess whether PDE5 drugs can mitigate the progression of decline. Men lacking a history of erectile dysfunction would play a crucial role in these trials.
Despite UCL researchers’ ability to consider patients’ socioeconomic status, Brauer notes challenges in measuring other factors such as physical activity.
Observing that “ethnicity is inadequately documented in U.K. GP records,” Brauer suggests that investigating a more racially and ethnically varied patient group would enhance scientists’ comprehension of the relationship between PDE5s and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
In conclusion, the study suggests a potential link between the use of Viagra and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease in men with erectile dysfunction. Analyzing medical records of nearly 270,000 men, the research revealed an 18% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s among those using erectile dysfunction medications.
Ruth Brauer, Ph.D., emphasized caution, highlighting that correlation does not imply causation. Future randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm these findings. While promising, the study underscores the importance of further research to elucidate the role of Viagra and similar drugs in reducing Alzheimer’s risk and the challenges in studying factors like medication adherence and demographics.
Reference
Viagra may help reduce Alzheimer’s risk, according to a new study. An expert explains the surprising connection [Internet]. Accessed on April 02, 2024, from FORTUNE WELL. Available at: https://fortune.com/well/2024/02/09/viagra-may-reduce-alzheimers-risk/
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