A new study by scientists at the University of Oxford suggests that Viagra (sildenafil) could be beneficial for people with cerebral small vessel disease, a condition known to cause and increase the risk of strokes - as well as dementia. This groundbreaking research could pave the way for for this common but often overlooked condition. The OxHARP trial, short for Oxford Haemodynamic Adaptation to Reduce Pulsatility, involved 75 participants who had experienced mild strokes or similar .
The participants, aged around 70 years on average and predominantly male, were randomly assigned to receive either Viagra, cilostazol (another drug known to aid blood vessel function), or a placebo. Each treatment was administered over a three-week period. The study employed advanced imaging techniques, including transcranial ultrasound and MRI scans, to assess the effects of the treatments on brain blood flow.
Researchers particularly focused on changes in blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular reactivity—the ability of blood vessels to respond to changes in carbon dioxide levels. Improved blood flow: Participants who took Viagra showed a significant increase in blood flow within the brain. Specifically, both peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities—measures of blood flow speed—were higher compared to those who received the placebo.
Better vessel function: The blood vessels in these participants responded more effectively to changes in carbon dioxide levels, indicating improved cerebr.