Great news, chaps, Viagra can perk up your brain too

Dementia risk fell by up to 18% in blue pill users

THE little blue pill that gives men a lift in the bedroom has a welcome sideeffect – it can give the brain a pick-me-up too.

Tests prove Viagra increases brain activity and reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by up to 18%.

Researchers found the drug, originally created to treat high blood pressure, can filter into the brain and trigger cell signals closely linked to memory.

Dr Leah Mursaleen, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research in the UK, said: ‘Developing drugs for diseases like Alzheimer’s is a costly process and can take many years. Being able to repurpose drugs already licensed for other health conditions could help accelerate progress and open up new avenues to prevent or treat dementia-causing diseases.’

The study, in the journal Neurology, looked at 269,725 men with an average age of 59 who suffered erectile dysfunction but had no memory or thinking problems.

Over five years, those who did not take Viagra or similar drugs were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at a rate of 9.7 in 10,000, compared with 8.1 in 10,000 among those who took the pills. Those who swallowed more pills appeared to have a correspondingly lower risk of getting Alzheimer’s.

Researcher Matthew Adesuyan, of University College London, said: ‘The results are encouraging and may point to a new way to reduce Alzheimer’s risk.’ UCL colleague Dr Ruth Brauer added: ‘Although we’re making progress with new treatments for Alzheimer’s that clear amyloid plaques in the brain, we desperately need treatments that can prevent or delay the development of the disease.

‘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.

‘A randomised, controlled trial with male and female participants is warranted to determine whether these findings would apply to women as well.’

Tara Spires-Jones, president of the British Neuroscience Association, said: ‘This study does not conclusively prove that erectile dysfunction drugs reduce Alzheimer’s risk but provides good evidence that this type of drug is worth further study.’

As well as helping men in the bedroom, Viagra – also known as Sildenafil – has previously been shown to have other benefits.

Last year, a study found it may help kill tumours of the lung, prostate, stomach and ovaries.

‘Women should be tested as well’