Sex pill Viagra slashes men’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 18 per cent

VIAGRA slashes men’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease, a study suggests.

Researchers found blokes on the sex pills were 18 per cent less likely to develop the degenerative brain condition.

GettyResearchers found blokes on Viagra were 18 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease[/caption]

Matthew Adesuyan, who led the team at University College London, said: “These results are encouraging and may point to a new way to reduce Alzheimer’s risk.”

Viagra and similar drugs work by increasing blood flow to the penis.

Their use is increasing as around half of men over 40 experience trouble in the bedroom.

Researchers looked at the medical records of 269,725 men, average age 59, who had all been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.

Half were on drugs including Viagra, Cialis, vardenafil and avanafil.

During the follow-up period — an average of 5.1 years later — 1,119 of the men were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which is the main cause of dementia.

But statistical analysis found those on the drugs had an 18 per cent reduced risk of developing it compared with those who were not.

The study, published in the journal Neurology, demonstrated the drugs can change brain cell activity, and showed signs of protecting nerves in animal studies.

Researchers suggested the drugs could also treat women — and men without erectile dysfunction.

Dr Leah Mursaleen, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, added: “Being able to repurpose drugs already licensed for other health conditions could help accelerate progress in treating dementia.”