57
submitted 10 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/health@lemmy.world

Research by UCL, which examined medical records of 260,000 men with erectile dysfunction, has provided ‘food for thought’

After a decades-long and largely fruitless hunt for drugs to combat Alzheimer’s disease, an unlikely candidate has raised its head: the erectile dysfunction pill Viagra.

Researchers found that men who were prescribed Viagra and similar medications were 18% less likely to develop the most common form of dementia years later than those who went without the drugs.

The effect was strongest in men with the most prescriptions, with scientists finding a 44% lower risk of Alzheimer’s in those who received 21 to 50 prescriptions of the erectile dysfunction pills over the course of their study.

While the findings are striking, the observational study cannot determine whether Viagra and similar pills protect against Alzheimer’s or whether men who are already less prone to the condition are simply more likely to use the tablets.

top 18 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] ForestOrca@kbin.social 20 points 10 months ago

"an unlikely candidate has raised its head", really ?!?

[-] someguy3@lemmy.world 13 points 10 months ago

Better blood flow... I can see that helping things. Wasn't Viagra originally being researched for blood pressure?

[-] match@pawb.social 4 points 10 months ago

Could also be they have more to live for

[-] ringwraithfish@startrek.website 8 points 10 months ago

Could also be men with Alzheimer's are less likely to be seeking Viagra.

[-] Delphia@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

It just helps old dudes remember the last time they got laid.

[-] Tylerdurdon@lemmy.world 6 points 10 months ago

"Where the hell am I, and how come I have a raging hard on?"

[-] mctoasterson@reddthat.com 6 points 10 months ago

I know that recent scholarship correlated sleep quality with resistance to dementia onset. Call me crazy but having good sex is the surest precursor to a good nights sleep.

[-] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago
[-] Please_Do_Not@lemm.ee 3 points 10 months ago

Made me lol, but honestly didn't even have to change the quote.

[-] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago
[-] EdibleFriend@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

But, on the other hand...boners.

[-] wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago
[-] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

"Aye we've already had first dick, but what about second dick?"

[-] Chetzemoka@startrek.website 3 points 10 months ago

I know the blood flow seems obvious, but lesser known is the fact that phosphodiesterase inhibitors have direct impacts on the nervous system. There's a PDE4 inhibitor that is commonly used in Japan to treat post-stroke inflammation. (Also, caffeine is a weaker, broad spectrum PDE inhibitor.)

"Firstly, PDE5 inhibitors could enhance memory and learning by increasing long-term potentiation mediated by the glutamate NO-cGMP intracellular pathway, as cGMP-activated protein kinase is thought to mediate memory consolidation.

Secondly, as cGMP is a known vasodilator, the cognitive effects of PDE inhibition could be explained by enhanced cerebrovascular function owing to increased delivery of glucose and oxygen to the brain. Finally, improved erections might alleviate performance anxiety and boost self-confidence, with potential benefits to mood, cognition, and general health."

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrurol.2013.309

[-] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 2 points 10 months ago

A boner you'll never forget.

[-] MaybeIShouldKnow@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago

I've read just yesterday Wikipedia's page on Oxytocin, and it states that it delayed symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Oxytocin is released during and/or after sex. This could be simply that people with Viagra prescriptions are more likely having more sex, and so more Oxytocin being released by the brain, and delaying Alzheimer's.

[-] Coreidan@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago
this post was submitted on 07 Feb 2024
57 points (100.0% liked)

Health - Resources and discussion for everything health-related

2399 readers
164 users here now

Health: physical and mental, individual and public.

Discussions, issues, resources, news, everything.

See the pinned post for a long list of other communities dedicated to health or specific diagnoses. The list is continuously updated.

Nothing here shall be taken as medical or any other kind of professional advice.

Commercial advertising is considered spam and not allowed. If you're not sure, contact mods to ask beforehand.

Linked videos without original description context by OP to initiate healthy, constructive discussions will be removed.

Regular rules of lemmy.world apply. Be civil.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS