Viagra Could Be Good for Your Brain

Wall Street Journal ^ | 17 March 2024 | Allysia Finley

[Fractal Trader]

Can Viagra prevent or reverse Alzheimer’s disease? Older men’s ship may be coming in. New research from the Cleveland Clinic suggests the erectile-dysfunction drug could ward off cognitive decline, illustrating how artificial intelligence can help scientists repurpose old medications for new diseases.

The study, published this month in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, builds on earlier research by the Cleveland Clinic that identified sildenafil, the generic name for Viagra, as a promising Alzheimer’s treatment.

Researchers first identified genes associated with the disease’s pathology, amyloid plaque and tau tangles in the brain. They then mapped out the molecular interplay among more than 1,600 drugs already approved by the Food and Drug Administration and Alzheimer’s-related proteins. After identifying 66 medications that interact with Alzheimer’s genes and pathology, they settled on sildenafil as the one with the most potential.

As a next step, they analyzed insurance claims from more than seven million Americans. They found that people who took sildenafil were 69% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those who didn’t after adjusting for sex, age and other diseases. Correlation doesn’t prove causation, but further study suggested they might be on to something.

Researchers grew neurons from the stem cells of Alzheimer’s patients in test tubes and exposed them to sildenafil. What do you know? The drug increased brain cell growth and decreased toxic tau, which usually develops in the early to middle stages of the disease. This suggested possible mechanisms by which sildenafil might arrest the disease.

In their new study, Cleveland Clinic researchers analyzed two patient databases and found that those who took sildenafil were 30% to 54% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. They also found that sildenafil activated genes in neurons that are associated with cell growth, improved brain function and reduced inflammation.

[Veto!]

Ah yes, those were the days.