UCL electronic health records study links erectile dysfunction medications to reduced Alzheimer’s disease risk

Erectile dysfunction medications have been linked to lower Alzheimer’s disease risk in a 5-year study which utilized data from electronic health records (EHRs).

New research led by University College London (UCL) suggests a potential link between the use of erectile dysfunction medications and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This study, published in the journal Neurology, leveraged EHRs from IQVIA Medical Research Data UK (formerly known as the THIN database) to analyze data from nearly 270,000 men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction but with no initial cognitive impairments. The database contains pseudonymized electronic primary care data from around 16 million patients – roughly 6% of the total population in the UK.

The study showed approximately 55% of the participants were prescribed phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is), which include medications such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil, and avanafil. After adjusting for variables like age, health conditions, and smoking status, the researchers observed that individuals using PDE5Is were 18% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease during the average 5.1-year follow-up. Notably, the correlation was strongest among those who received frequent prescriptions, indicating a potential protective effect of PDE5Is against the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

PDE5Is function by dilating blood vessels to augment blood flow and were originally developed to address hypertension and angina. Their mechanism involves targeting a cell signaling messenger, which has also been explored for its association with memory. These medications can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, potentially influencing brain cell function. Previous animal research has found PDE5Is to have some neuroprotective benefits.

Leah Mursaleen, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, underscored the significance of exploring drug repurposing to expedite progress in combating dementia-related conditions, stating,

“Developing drugs for diseases like Alzheimer’s is a costly process and can take many years. Being able to repurpose drugs already licensed for other health conditions could help accelerate progress and open up new avenues to prevent or treat dementia-causing diseases.”

While the results are promising, researchers urge caution and emphasize the need for further investigation to confirm these findings and unravel the underlying mechanisms. Lead author Ruth Brauer, UCL School of Pharmacy, emphasized the necessity of additional research, stating, “More research is needed to confirm these findings, learn more about the potential benefits and mechanisms of these drugs and look into the optimal dosage. A randomized, controlled trial with both male and female participants is warranted to determine whether these findings would apply to women as well.”

Mursaleen echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for continued investment in dementia research, stating, “We also need to understand how this evidence might apply to more diverse populations. The only way to do this is to keep up momentum in dementia research through continued investment.” The study’s limitations, including the lack of information on drug usage among participants and the focus on a specific demographic, underscore the necessity of ongoing research efforts to validate and expand upon these findings.

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