Viagra Shows Surprising Promise In Reducing Alzheimer’s Risk
Viagra, the best-known drug to treat erectile dysfunction, is linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s. Seriously.
According to a new study published Monday in the journal Nature Aging, sildenafil—the generic name for Viagra—was associated with a 69 percent reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s in a large-scale analysis of more than 7 million patients.
It should be stated upfront that this study is not establishing a causal link between sildenafil and reduced Alzheimer’s risk; it simply suggests there’s a significant relationship that should be explored through actual clinical testing. But the findings are nevertheless a pleasant surprise, and the latest in a string of recent studies that highlight the potential of using old drugs to treat inscrutable diseases.