Are you forgetting things, Viagra can help: Oxford Study

An Oxford Trial has revealed that Viagra (Sildenafil), mostly used for erectile dysfunction, has potential to prevent Dementia (memory loss).

Claimed to be the first trial, this double blind pathbreaking research shows that Sildenafil which is an active ingredient used in commonly known drug Viagra not only opens blood vessels of Penis but also has capability to open minute blood vessels of brain , thus improving blood flow and resulting in improvement of  memory loss.

Over 75 patients of minor stroke who suffered mild to moderate small vessel disease (early signs of dementia) took part in this study which has been titled  “Cerebrovascular Effects of Sildenafil in Small Vessel Disease: The OxHARP Trial”

Co-Author of this pathbreaking research, Dr Alastair Webb, who is also associate professor at the Wolfson Centre for prevention of Stroke & Dementia said, “This is the first trial to show that sildenafil gets into the blood vessels in the brain in people with this condition, improving blood flow and how responsive these blood vessels are.”

Dr Webb further added,” These two key factors are associated with chronic damage to the small blood vessels in the brain, which is the commonest cause of Vascular Dementia . This demonstrates the potential of this well tolerated, widely available drug to prevent Dementia, which needs testing in large trials.”

According to Dr Rajeev Mehta, Senior Psychiatrist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, “This is a pathbreaking trial linking Sildenafil with improvement in Vascular Dementia. This is a type of dementia that affects thinking ,memory and day to day behaviour is due to conditions that damage blood vessels and disrupt blood flow to brain . India has a high burden of cognitive disease impairment due to vascular disease. It is important to note that in Vascular Dementia , memory deficiency or forgetfulness occurs in steps.”

According to another Dr Jitendra Nagpal , Chaiman, The Institute of Mental Health , Moolchand Hospital , “ Further comprehensive multi-centric trials are needed to substantiate these findings , however , any benefits to chronic suffering of such dementias would be a welcome step in the cognitive recovery . Besides increasing age , vascular dementia can also happen with stroke , wherein blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly cut off or reduced. This damages and eventually kills brain cells. There is narrowing and blockage of the small blood vessels inside the brain.”