In a groundbreaking trial, researchers at Oxford University have found that Viagra (Sildenafil), a drug primarily known for treating erectile dysfunction, may also have the potential to prevent dementia. This double-blind study, hailed as the first of its kind, demonstrates that Sildenafil not only improves blood flow to the penis but also enhances cerebral blood flow, potentially preventing memory loss.

The study, titled “Cerebrovascular Effects of Sildenafil in Small Vessel Disease: The OxHARP Trial,” involved over 75 patients who had suffered minor strokes and exhibited early signs of dementia due to small vessel disease. Published in the journal Circulation Research, the trial's findings suggest that Sildenafil can significantly improve blood flow in the brain's minute blood vessels, thereby enhancing cognitive functions.

Dr. Alastair Webb, the co-author of the study and an associate professor at the Wolfson Centre for the Prevention of Stroke & Dementia, highlighted the significance of these findings. "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," said Dr. Webb. "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 larger trials."

Supporting the trial's implications, Dr. Rajeev Mehta, a Senior Psychiatrist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, described the research as pathbreaking. "This is a type of dementia that affects thinking, memory, and day-to-day behavior due to conditions that damage blood vessels and disrupt blood flow to the brain. India has a high burden of cognitive impairment due to vascular disease. It's important to note that in vascular dementia, memory deficiency or forgetfulness occurs in steps," Dr. Mehta explained.

The significance of vascular dementia in India is underscored by a report from Science Direct, which states, "The burden of vascular contribution to cognitive impairment and dementia is substantially high in India. There are approximately 5.3 million dementia patients in India, and nearly 40% are estimated to be due to vascular dementia."

Dr. Jitendra Nagpal, Chairman of The Institute of Mental Health at Moolchand Hospital, emphasized the need for further comprehensive, multi-centric trials to substantiate these findings. "Any benefits to chronic suffering of such dementias would be a welcome step in 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," Dr. Nagpal stated.

In India, Sildenafil is available in strengths ranging from 25mg to 100mg and is commonly sold in pharmacies at approximately Rs 25 per tablet.

 Recognizing Dementia

Early signs and symptoms of dementia include forgetting recent events or information, repeating the same questions or comments frequently, misplacing items or placing them in unusual spots, having difficulty choosing the right words, and experiencing changes in behavior, mood, or interests.

The Oxford trial's promising results offer a new avenue of hope for dementia patients and underscore the potential of Sildenafil as a multi-faceted drug with significant benefits beyond its primary use.