Link between Sildenafil and Alzheimer’s
The Cleveland Clinic discovered that individuals using Sildenafil may have a reduced likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease—an incurable neurological disorder leading to brain shrinkage and the loss of memory and other mental functions. This finding brought excitement to the medical community and families affected by the disease.
To identify potential treatments for Alzheimer's, the Cleveland Clinic's Genomic Medicine Institute analyzed around 1,600 drugs. Using computational methods, they examined trends within a database of over seven million patients. After six years, the findings revealed that individuals who took sildenafil were 69% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
Lead researcher Feixiong Cheng, PhD, noted, "Sildenafil, known to significantly improve cognition and memory in preclinical models, emerged as the best drug candidate." Notably, the study found that sildenafil reduced the likelihood of Alzheimer's not only in individuals without specific health conditions but also in those with comorbidities like coronary artery disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, all significantly associated with the risk of the disease.
How might Sildenafil reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s?
To grasp how Sildenafil could potentially protect against Alzheimer's, it's crucial to understand the brain's changes during the disease. Dr. Cheng's team explains that the accumulation of two proteins, amyloid and tau, is a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's-related brain damage.Previous clinical trials targeting either amyloid or tau individually have not succeeded in the past two decades. However, Sildenafil appears to target the "molecular network intersection" of both amyloid and tau.
With projections indicating that Alzheimer's will affect nearly 14 million Americans by 2050, even though Sildenafil is currently not FDA-approved for Alzheimer's treatment, it might soon be prescribed for this purpose. Dr. Cheng stresses that clinical trials are necessary to validate Sildenafil's effectiveness as an Alzheimer's treatment. "We are now planning a mechanistic trial and a phase II randomized clinical trial to...confirm sildenafil’s clinical benefits for Alzheimer’s patients," he explains. Additionally, the team envisions applying their approach to other neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease.
Should you take Sildenafil to prevent Alzheimer’s?
It's essential to note that currently, the FDA only approves Sildenafil for enhancing erections in men. Any additional benefits, such as Alzheimer's prevention, are not official until further research confirms them. Dr. Susan Kohlhaas, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, cautions against hastily using Sildenafil for Alzheimer's prevention based on the Cleveland Clinic's study. She emphasizes that while the data is scientifically interesting, it's not a reason to rush out and start taking Sildenafil.
However, if you're already using Sildenafil, the recent findings might provide added encouragement, suggesting potential benefits beyond improving performance in the bedroom. For those contemplating trying Sildenafil, the data could serve as an incentive. BlueChew offers an easy and affordable way to access Sildenafil. Simply choose your plan, complete a free health evaluation, and upon approval, we discreetly ship chewable tablets straight to your door.
