Erectile Dysfunction Medications Could Lower Alzheimer´s Risk, According to a Study

A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom has yielded promising results linking the use of erectile dysfunction drugs, such as Viagra and Cialis, to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer´s disease. According to the research, men prescribed these medications have an 18% lower likelihood of experiencing this common form of dementia.

The study sample included nearly 270,000 men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction but without prior cognitive issues. Approximately 55% were undergoing treatment with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis), which dilate blood vessels.

Published in the journal Neurology, the study revealed that the relationship between the use of these drugs and the decreased risk of Alzheimer´s was more pronounced in those with more frequent prescriptions. While these findings suggest a positive connection, there is an emphasis on the need for further clinical trials to establish a causal relationship.

Ruth Brauer, lead author from the Faculty of Pharmacy at University College London, commented that despite progress in Alzheimer´s treatments, it is imperative to explore options that prevent or delay the development of the disease. Additional research is encouraged to confirm potential benefits and better understand these drugs´ mechanisms and optimal dosage.

Researchers propose a randomized, controlled trial involving both genders as the next step to confirm the direct relationship between erectile dysfunction drugs and the reduction of Alzheimer´s risk. Alzheimer´s disease affects approximately 7.8 million people in the European Union and is characterized by memory and cognitive decline.

Despite these encouraging results, some experts, such as Ivan Koychev from the University of Oxford, caution about the difficulty of establishing causal relationships in epidemiological studies and point out that the association with Alzheimer´s disease remains controversial. However, given the potential to repurpose existing drugs to prevent dementia, clinical trials could be vital to demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing the risk of Alzheimer´s.