A recent study shows a potential link between erectile dysfunction drugs and a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, with users experiencing an 18% reduction in risk after adjusting for various factors It has been shown that Although the results of this study are promising, they highlight the need for further research to investigate the underlying mechanisms and benefits and whether these results apply to women.
According to a new study published in neurologyAccording to the Medical Journal of the American Academy of Neurology, erectile dysfunction medications may also be associated with a lower risk of erectile dysfunction. Alzheimer’s disease disease. However, this study shows a correlation rather than proving that erectile dysfunction drugs directly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Erectile dysfunction drugs, which dilate blood vessels so more blood can flow through them, were originally developed to treat high blood pressure. New research suggests these drugs may be associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
“While progress is being made in new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that remove amyloid plaques in the brains of people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, there is a critical need for treatments that can prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. ” says the study. The author is Dr. Ruth Brower of University College London, UK. “These results are encouraging and warrant further study.”
Research details
The study involved 269,725 men with an average age of 59 who were newly diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. At the beginning of the study, the participants had no problems with memory or thinking skills. They were then followed up for an average of five years. The study compared 55% of participants who were prescribed erectile dysfunction drugs to 45% of participants who did not have a prescription.
During the study period, 1,119 people developed Alzheimer’s disease.
Of the participants taking erectile dysfunction drugs, 749 developed Alzheimer’s disease. This corresponds to a rate of 8.1 people per 10,000 person-years. Person-years represent both the number of people who participated in the study and the time each person spent in the study. Of those who did not take the drug, 370 developed Alzheimer’s disease. This corresponds to a rate of 9.7 people per 10,000 person-years.
When researchers adjusted for other factors that may influence Alzheimer’s disease rates, such as age, smoking status, and alcohol intake, those who took erectile dysfunction drugs were less likely to take them. They were found to be 18% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. drugs.
This association was strongest among people who were filled with the most prescriptions during the study period.
Future research directions
“Further research is needed to confirm these findings, learn more about the potential benefits and mechanisms of these drugs, and consider optimal dosing,” Brauer said. “Randomized controlled trials with both male and female participants are needed to determine whether these findings also apply to women.”
Reference: Matthew Adesuyan, Yogini H. Jani, Dana Alsugeir, Robert Howard, Chengsheng Ju, Li Wei, and Ruth Brauer, Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Cohort Study in Men at Risk for Erectile Dysfunction and Alzheimer’s Disease, 2024. February 7th, neurology.
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000209131
The study was based on prescription records. A limitation of this study is that the researchers did not have information about whether participants actually filled prescriptions and used the medication.
