Sildenafil enhances brain blood flow, shows promise in preventing dementia
A recent study conducted by the University of Oxford has found that sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, can improve blood flow to the brain and enhance the function of brain blood vessels in individuals at risk of vascular dementia.
Dr. Alastair Webb, an Associate Professor at the Wolfson Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia at Oxford University, stated that this trial is the first of its kind to demonstrate that sildenafil can improve blood flow and vascular responsiveness in the brain, which are crucial factors in chronic damage to small blood vessels and the development of vascular dementia.
The significance of this research lies in its potential to revolutionize the treatment and prevention of vascular dementia, a condition currently lacking specific therapies. Chronic damage to small blood vessels in the brain is a leading cause of vascular dementia, as well as contributing to strokes and brain bleeds.
The OxHARP trial, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 75 participants who had experienced a minor stroke and showed signs of small vessel disease, revealed that sildenafil increased blood flow in both large and small brain vessels, enhanced the blood flow response to carbon dioxide, and lowered blood vessel resistance in the brain. Compared to a similar drug, cilostazol, sildenafil also caused fewer side effects.
Future research will focus on larger-scale trials to confirm these findings and explore the potential of sildenafil in preventing vascular dementia on a broader scale. The study was generously funded by the Wellcome Trust and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Professor Peter Rothwell, Founding Director of the Wolfson Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, expressed optimism about the findings, emphasizing the potential of existing drugs like sildenafil in targeting the underlying causes of reduced blood flow in the brain.