A recent study in Alzheimer’s & Dementia examined the effectiveness of tadalafil, a medication akin to Viagra, in treating patients with vascular dementia.
Vascular dementia, a form of dementia characterized by reduced blood flow to the brain, is a rising global health concern. The number of dementia patients worldwide is projected to jump from 55 million to 139 million by 2050.
Recognizing the lack of treatment options available, researchers aimed to repurpose tadalafil to see if it could improve vascular dementia conditions.
The previous computational analysis had hinted that sildenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil, both drugs designed to increase blood flow, might help delay or prevent dementia.
Why Tadalafil
Belonging to the same group as sildenafil and vardenafil, tadalafil was chosen for its extended half-life and its purported ability to more efficiently penetrate the brain.
The phase II trial was co-sponsored by the US-based Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and the UK Alzheimer’s Society.
It assessed if tadalafil could enhance brain blood flow in elderly patients with brain artery narrowing, a potential trigger for strokes and vascular dementia.
An MRI method called arterial spin labeling was employed to monitor blood flow without the need for radioactive tracers.
There was no noticeable difference in blood flow between those administered tadalafil and those given a placebo.
However, a trend emerged, indicating improved blood flow in the brain’s white matter for participants over 70 years of age, a region crucial for vascular dementia. No grave side effects were observed.
Dr. Jeremy Isaacs emphasized that while a single tadalafil dose did not demonstrate a significant impact, longer-term usage might yield benefits that warrant additional research.
Dr. Atticus Hainsworth highlighted the benefits of repurposing known drugs, citing shorter development times, established safety profiles, and reduced costs after patent expiration.
Katherine Gray, from Alzheimer’s Society, expressed hope in further testing of different tadalafil doses over extended periods.
Conclusion
Despite the study’s inconclusive results, the potential of tadalafil and related drugs to treat dementia remains promising, especially given their safety profile and established efficacy in other medical conditions.
Future research focusing on extended usage, particularly in older populations, is essential to determine their potential therapeutic value for dementia.
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The study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
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