Exposure of Dementia Patients' Brain Cells to Viagra Promotes Brain Cell Growth and Reduces Dementia-Related Abnormal Protein 'Tau'
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] A study has drawn attention by suggesting that 'Viagra' may help prevent Alzheimer's dementia. Viagra, which contains sildenafil as its active ingredient, is known as a treatment for male erectile dysfunction.
According to UPI on the 6th (local time), Professor Feixiong Cheng's research team at the Clinic Genomic Medicine Institute of the Cleveland Clinic in the United States analyzed and compared the incidence rates of dementia between Viagra users and non-users through computer modeling using medical insurance claims data of over 7 million people, revealing this finding.
The study found that people who used Viagra had a 69% lower incidence rate of dementia. In particular, individuals with underlying conditions associated with dementia risk, such as coronary artery disease (heart disease), hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, showed a tendency for reduced dementia risk when using Viagra. Similar effects were also observed in people without these underlying conditions.
The research team also compared the incidence rates of dementia between users and non-users of blood pressure medications known to help prevent dementia, such as losartan and diltiazem, as well as diabetes medications metformin and glimepiride, in addition to Viagra.
As a result, the dementia risk for Viagra users was analyzed to be 55% lower than that of losartan users, 63% lower than metformin users, 65% lower than diltiazem users, and 64% lower than glimepiride users.
The research team exposed brain cells of dementia patients, cultured from stem cells, to Viagra in vitro. The results showed that brain cell growth was promoted and the abnormal tau protein related to dementia in brain neurons was reduced.
Alzheimer's dementia is known to occur when beta-amyloid, a surface protein in the spaces between nerve cells, and tau protein inside nerve cells misfold and aggregate (plaque) or tangle, thereby losing their normal function.
Although many drugs aimed at reducing these two abnormal proteins have been developed, none have yet demonstrated effectiveness in clinical trials.
The research team stated that this study only showed an association between Viagra and reduced dementia risk, and they are preparing clinical trials to verify the hypothesis.
This research was published in the latest issue of the UK scientific journal Nature Aging.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
