A new trial conducted by the University of Oxford has revealed that sildenafil, more widely known as Viagra, could help to prevent dementia.

The groundbreaking study found that the drug aids in enhancing blood flow to the brain and amplifying the functionality of brain blood vessels in patients at a high risk of vascular dementia.

This significant discovery offers a potential turning point in the struggle against the incapacitating disease.

Dr Alastair Webb, associate professor at the Wolfson Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia at Oxford University, shed light on the significance of this trial.

He explained: "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.

"These two key factors are associated with chronic damage to 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".

(Image: University of Oxford)

Currently, there are no specific therapies tailored to handle vascular dementia.

This makes the findings of this trial all the more vital, given that high blood pressure, reduced blood flow to the brain, and impaired blood vessel function accelerate these conditions.

The OxHARP trial, a rigorously planned double-blind, placebo-controlled study, involved 75 individuals who had experienced a minor stroke and displayed indications of mild to moderate small vessel disease.

In a randomised order, each individual received Viagra, a placebo, and cilostazol (a similar drug) over three-week periods.

Key results concluded the following: sildenafil upped blood flow in both large and small brain vessels; it enhanced the blood flow response to carbon dioxide, indicating better cerebrovascular function; both Viagra and cilostazol decreased blood vessel resistance in the brain; and Viagra led to fewer side effects, particularly less incidence of diarrhoea compared to cilostazol.

Upcoming steps involve larger-scale trials to substantiate these results and examine sildenafil's potential in preventing vascular dementia substantially.

Charitable funding for this research has been provided by the Wellcome Trust and backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Their gratitude extends to all partners and participants involved in the trial.

Highlighting the importance of the research, Professor Peter Rothwell, founding director of the Wolfson Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, said: "Professor Webb's findings are very encouraging and highlight the potential for preventing vascular dementia using existing drugs that target the underlying reduction in flow in the small blood vessels in the brain."