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Erectile dysfunction medicine might scale back the danger of Alzheimer’s illness, a brand new study is suggesting, although some consultants solid doubt on the hyperlink between the 2.
In a study by University College London researchers within the U.Ok., males who had been prescribed phosphodiesterase kind 5 inhibitors, in any other case generally known as erectile dysfunction medication, had been 18% much less seemingly to develop Alzheimer’s illness years later.
The study, revealed within the journal Neurology by the American Academy of Neurology, surveyed 269,725 males who had been identified with erectile dysfunction with none reminiscence issues or cognitive deficits.
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Among the respondents, 55% had been taking erectile dysfunction medicine, together with sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil and avanafil.
These males had been in contrast to the remaining respondents, who weren’t prescribed these medication.
Viagra and Cialis tablets are pictured on a tray at a New York pharmacy on Tuesday, May 18, 2004. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg by way of Getty Images)
Researchers adjusted the outcomes for elements like age, underlying well being situations, smoking standing and co-prescribed drugs.
The findings pointed to an 18% Alzheimer’s threat discount in sufferers who had been prescribed erectile dysfunction medication after a follow-up interval of about 5 years.
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The strongest affiliation was amongst males who took these medication extra often, the study discovered.
Erectile dysfunction medication “act on a cell-signaling messenger that has also been investigated for its links to memory,” in accordance to a UCL press launch.
A health care provider factors at potential proof of Alzheimer’s illness noticed in a PET scan at Brigham And Women’s Hospital in Boston on March 30, 2023. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File picture)
“These drugs are also able to cross the blood-brain barrier and may affect brain cell activity,” the press launch acknowledged.
Animal analysis has found that erectile dysfunction medicine has “some neuroprotective benefits,” in accordance to the UCL researchers.
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Lead study creator Dr. Ruth Brauer, of the UCL School of Pharmacy, commented within the launch on the development of new Alzheimer’s therapies.
“Although we’re making progress with the new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that work to clear amyloid plaques in the brain for people with early stages of the disease, we desperately need treatments that can prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” she mentioned.
“More research is needed to confirm these findings, learn more about the potential benefits and mechanisms of these drugs, and look into the optimal dosage.”
“This observational study is based on electronic health care records.”
A randomized, managed trial together with each women and men is warranted, Brauer added.
Ozama Ismail, PhD, director of scientific applications on the Alzheimer’s Association, was not concerned within the study however commented on the findings in an announcement to Fox News Digital.
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“While this study is interesting and adds to a potential association, there is no evidence that these drugs are able to treat Alzheimer’s disease,” he mentioned.
“This observational study is based on electronic health care records and cannot determine if the connection is meaningful without further exploration.”
An Alzheimer’s knowledgeable mentioned sufferers ought to at all times seek the advice of their physician earlier than altering drugs. (iStock)
Further analysis and scientific trials are a “necessary step” earlier than contemplating erectile dysfunction drugs as a remedy for Alzheimer’s, Ismail famous.
“Such trials would need to include diverse participants — including women — to conclusively determine if this class of drug can meaningfully treat Alzheimer’s disease,” he mentioned.
An “important limitation” of the study is that Alzheimer’s diagnoses weren’t decided utilizing “gold standard” testing, the knowledgeable mentioned, which would come with “imaging biomarkers and/or assessment at autopsy.”
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Ismail warned that sufferers mustn’t use over-the-counter erectile dysfunction medication to forestall Alzheimer’s or different types of dementia.
“Always seek the advice of together with your doctor earlier than beginning or altering your drugs,” he suggested.
An knowledgeable warned that sufferers mustn’t use over-the-counter erectile dysfunction medication to forestall Alzheimer’s or different types of dementia. (BSIP/Universal Images Group by way of Getty Images)
Although the study was restricted, Ismail mentioned, it highlights a “potential new avenue for drug repurposing.”
He added, “The repurposing of existing, approved treatments can be a valuable part of drug development because, through already completed testing, we know much about their safety and side effects.”
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“This can sometimes reduce the length and cost of studies needed for the new indication.”
Repurposing medication for the remedy of Alzheimer’s would require new research to be carried out over longer durations of time and in older folks that “reflect the diversity of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease,” Ismail mentioned.
Fox News Digital reached out to the UCL researchers for extra touch upon the study.
For extra Health articles, go to foxnews.com/well being.
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