An Oxford University study highlights the potential of Sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, to improve brain blood flow and possibly prevent dementia.
The research, published in Circulation Research, discovered that the drug enhances blood circulation in the brain’s vessels, a crucial finding for those at risk of vascular dementia.
Vascular dementia, characterized by diminished cognitive functions such as memory and judgment, occurs due to reduced blood supply to the brain, damaging brain tissue. The study’s key findings indicate that Sildenafil increases blood flow in both large and small vessels, as confirmed by ultrasound and MRI scans.
In addition to boosting blood flow, the drug showed improved cerebrovascular responsiveness to carbon dioxide. When combined with cilostazol, another vascular drug, Sildenafil effectively reduced blood vessel resistance within the brain, albeit with fewer side effects like diarrhoea than cilostazol alone.
Dr. Alastair Webb, Associate Professor at the Wolfson Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, emphasized the significance of these results. He stated, “This is the first trial to demonstrate that sildenafil can enhance the function of brain blood vessels in patients with this condition, potentially reducing the risk of dementia.”
The OxHARP trial, which involved 75 participants with mild to moderate small vessel disease following a minor stroke, administered Sildenafil alongside a placebo and cilostazol over three weeks. Researchers utilized cardiovascular physiology tests and imaging techniques like functional MRI to assess the drugs’ effects.
Despite the promising results, Dr. Webb noted the need for larger trials to fully establish Sildenafil’s effectiveness in preventing dementia. This comes against a backdrop where specific treatments for vascular dementia remain elusive, even though the condition contributes to 30% of strokes and 80% of brain bleeds.
