It is unexpected, but the tests confirm it. Viagra prevents Alzheimer’s. This can have a significant impact in the fight and prevention against this disease of old age.
The genetic and neurological effects of sildenafil, a drug commonly sold under the brand name Viagra, were investigated. And it was validated that the medication prevented critical proteins in nerve cells from becoming tangled. They could prevent the neurodegeneration responsible for dementia.
More benefits
This potential is not so surprising. It was known to intervene in nerve signaling pathways that influence neuroplasticity. Sildenafil reduces excessive phosphorylation of tau proteins in nerve cells. This helps improve cognitive health and memory.
They used cell cultures of neurons from stem cells donated by Alzheimer’s patients. The metabolic and genetic activity underlying the therapeutic effects of sildenafil was mapped.
After five days of treatment, the lab-grown neurons produced significantly lower levels of tau proteins. It confirmed the ability of sildenafil to protect brain cells. There were hundreds of changes in gene expression. Many of them related to inflammation and breakdown of communication between nerves.
Another aspect of the study used artificial intelligence to look for evidence that sildenafil works at a population level. Thus another surprise was discovered. Not only did they confirm that sildenafil reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s by around 60%. It also reduced the risk in people with pulmonary hypertension.
New answers
“It is gratifying to see the effects of sildenafil on human neurons and patient outcomes in the real world.” This is stated by Feixiong Cheng, a biomedical informaticist at the Cleveland Clinic and co-author of the study.
Viagra prevents Alzheimer’s. Sildenafil has already received approval for erectile dysfunction. Now they hope to demonstrate its safety and effectiveness in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s. It could provide health authorities with a quick means of tackling what appears to be a rising tide of dementia. The research was published in the journal Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
