The popular impotence pill known as "Viagra" may have a very positive long-term effect on the brain, the scientific journal Nature Aging reported this week.
The researchers, at the Cleveland Clinic, analyzed the condition of seven million men who took it over time and were surprised to find that the incidence of Alzheimer's among those who took the drug was much smaller compared to others who did not take it.
According to the analysis, it is possible that the drug can reduce the risk by up to 70%, although as mentioned this is a study based on correlation and not causality and therefore this should be researched in depth before indicating a definite connection.
Tests on brain cells have shown that the drug acts on the proteins that accumulate in catastrophic sites when it comes to the type of dementia associated with Alzheimer's, which could explain the desired side effect.
Beyond the apparent scientific advantage, it seems that in the regulatory sense this is also potential good news, since the use of an approved drug for other purposes beyond its original indication is a relatively easy process compared to developing a drug from scratch.
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us