Studies show that drugs used to treat ED may reduce Alzheimer’s risk

A new study published in Neurology suggests that men who take erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra may have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The research looked at over 260,000 men prescribed these drugs and found that those taking them were 18% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s over the next 5 years. The more prescriptions the men had, the lower their Alzheimer’s risk, indicating that regular use of these drugs could provide greater protection.

While more research is still needed, the study proposes these medications may have brain-protective effects. The drugs were originally intended to treat high blood pressure and angina, but also affect brain cell activity. The researchers now want to run clinical trials, including with women, to further analyze the potential benefits and mechanisms behind these drugs for Alzheimer’s prevention. Though not conclusively proven yet, experts say erectile dysfunction medications show promise as a new avenue of research in the fight against this dementia-causing condition. Read the full BBC article here.