Viagra® to prevent Alzheimer's disease, what the study by British researchers reveals

British researchers believe that certain drugs – normally used to treat erectile dysfunction – could show some benefit.

While much research strives to find a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, others focus on prevention. Thus, British researchers believe that certain drugs – normally used to treat erectile dysfunction – might show an interest.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease with 1 million patients. Every year 225,000 new cases are recorded. And counting relatives and caregivers, there are 3 million people who are directly affected by the pathology.

Why this type of medication ?

To overcome this neurodegenerative disease, work is increasing, but not all going in the same direction. Some seek to remove amyloid plaques in the brains of people in the early stages of the disease. But others are trying to uncover treatments capable of preventing or delaying its development. It is in this second category that this study carried out by scientists from University College London and published in the journal of the American Academy of Neurology falls. Their objective: to observe a possible effect of medications used against erectile dysfunction.

Why precisely this type of medication ? "Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (found in commonly used medications such as Viagra®, editor's note) have proven to be a promising avenue against Alzheimer's disease, at least in animal models", explain the authors. "However, work in humans remains inconclusive. We therefore conducted a study to evaluate the association."

18% less risk

Their work focused on exactly 269,725 men, aged on average 59 years, who had recently been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. None had memory problems at the start of the follow-up which lasted five years. The scientists compared the 55% of participants who took medications for erectile dysfunction to the 45% who did not.

Additional research

During the study, 1,119 people developed Alzheimer's disease. "Those who took the drugs were less likely – 18% less risk – to develop Alzheimer's disease", estimate the authors.

"Further research is needed to confirm these results, learn more about the mechanisms, and study optimal dosing&quot ;, explain the researchers. "A randomized, controlled trial with male and female participants is warranted to determine whether these findings would also apply to women."