Men who take drugs to treat erectile dysfunction may also be reducing their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study conducted at the University College London School of Pharmacy. The study found an association between phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5s), which include popular drugs like Viagra and Cialis, and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia.
The researchers analyzed the medical records of nearly 270,000 men who were newly diagnosed with erectile dysfunction and didn’t have any thinking or memory problems. The average age of the participants was 59. Over a five-year period, the researchers tracked these men and adjusted the data to account for factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and other variables that could influence the development of Alzheimer’s. The study, published in the journal Neurology, revealed that men who took erectile dysfunction drugs were 18% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared to those who didn’t.
Interestingly, the study also found that men who were issued the most prescriptions for these drugs throughout the study had the greatest reduction in risk. However, the study only shows an association and not a causal effect. This is an important distinction, as highlighted by study coauthor Ruth Brauer, Ph.D., who called it an exciting starting point.
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors work by relaxing blood vessels. Although these drugs are mainly approved for treating erectile dysfunction, animal models have shown that the vasodilation effect extends to the brain. This increased cerebral blood flow may have a neuroprotective effect, potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s.
While observational studies in humans have produced inconclusive results so far, the University College London researchers aimed to contribute their findings to the existing research. However, Brauer emphasized the need for additional studies, including randomized controlled trials, to further investigate the link between PDE5s and Alzheimer’s risk reduction.
One of the limitations of the study is that the researchers had to assume that the men who were prescribed the drugs actually consumed them as instructed. They had no way of knowing who actually picked up the prescriptions from the pharmacy or who took the medications. However, Brauer suggests that men who proactively seek a prescription for PDE5s are likely motivated to take the drugs as prescribed.
It’s important to note that phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are not approved for use in women in the United States. Brauer emphasizes that healthy women should not take these drugs without a guaranteed benefit. However, she envisions future trials that involve patients of all genders who are already experiencing mild cognitive decline, with the hope of slowing the rate of decline using PDE5 drugs. Men without a history of erectile dysfunction would also be included in these trials.
The UCL researchers took patients’ socioeconomic status into account, but certain factors like physical activity were challenging to measure accurately. Additionally, the study cohort was not racially and ethnically diverse due to poor recording of ethnicity in U.K. GP records. Brauer suggests that a more diverse patient cohort would provide a better understanding of the association between PDE5s and Alzheimer’s risk.
In conclusion, the recent study suggests a potential link between phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease in men with erectile dysfunction. However, more research is needed to establish a causal relationship and determine the underlying mechanisms. With further studies and clinical trials, these drugs may offer new possibilities in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
