VIAGRA could help prevent dementia, new research suggests.
A study by the University of Oxford found that the drug, also called sildenafil, enhances the function of brain blood vessels in patients at increased risk of the condition.
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Experts say the research may have the potential to transform the treatment and prevention of vascular dementia - caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, which currently lacks specific therapies.
Dr Alastair Webb, associate professor at the Wolfson Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia at Oxford, said: "This is the first trial to show that sildenafil gets into the blood vessels in the brain in people with this condition, improving blood flow and how responsive these blood vessels are.
"These two key factors are associated with chronic damage to the small blood vessels in the brain, which is the commonest cause of vascular dementia.
"This demonstrates the potential of this well-tolerated, widely-available drug to prevent dementia, which needs testing in larger trials."
The study, published in Circulation Research, involved 75 people who had experienced a minor stroke.
They showed signs of mild to moderate small vessel disease.
Everyone received Viagra - commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction - a placebo, and cilostazol (a similar drug) over three-week periods in a random order.
The researchers found that Viagra increased blood flow in both large and small brain vessels.
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Both Viagra and cilostazol lowered blood vessel resistance in the brain.
Additionally, Viagra caused fewer side effects compared with cilostazol, particularly less diarrhoea.
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The researchers said their findings marked a "potentially pivotal step in the fight against this debilitating condition".
But further larger trials are needed to confirm these findings and explore sildenafil's potential in preventing vascular dementia on a broader scale, they added.
The research was funded by the Wellcome Trust and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Almost one million people are living with dementia in the UK.
This number is expected to rise to 1.4million by 2040.
Who can take sildenafil?
Sildenafil has been sold over the counter in the UK since 2018.
Men over the age of 18 can take it for erectile dysfunction, though adults and children over a year old can take it for pulmonary hypertension.
You should speak to your doctor before taking the pill if:
- Have ever had an allergic reaction to sildenafil or any other medicine
- Are taking medicines called nitrates for chest pain (angina)
- Have a serious heart or liver problem
- Have recently had a stroke, heart attack or a heart problem – your doctor should carefully check whether your heart can take the additional strain of having sex
- Have low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Have a rare inherited eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa
- Have sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukaemia (cancer of blood cells) or multiple myeloma (cancer of bone marrow)
- Have a deformity of your penis or Peyronie's disease (curved penis)
- Have a stomach ulcer
- Have a bleeding problem like haemophilia
Source:NHS
Chronic damage to the small blood vessels in the brain is not only the leading cause of vascular dementia but also contributes to 30 per cent of strokes and 80 per cent of brain bleeds.
High blood pressure, reduced blood flow to the brain, and impaired blood vessel function exacerbate these conditions, making the findings of this trial "particularly crucial".
Professor Peter Rothwell, founding director of the Wolfson Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia said: "Professor Webb's findings are very encouraging and highlight the potential for preventing vascular dementia using existing drugs that target the underlying reduction in flow in the small blood vessels in the brain."
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Previous research has shown Viagra could help shrink cancerous tumours, reduce altitude sickness, treat pulmonary hypertension and improve stroke recovery.
Other studies have found it to make it easier for people with an enlarged prostate to pee and help travellers overcome jet lag.
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