Cleveland Clinic researchers highlight their latest findings showing how a well-known drug used for erectile dysfunction could potentially be repurposed for Alzheimer's disease.
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CLEVELAND - For the last three years, Cleveland Clinic researchers have been studying the possibility of repurposing a well-known drug called Sildenafil for Alzheimer’s disease.
Now, there’s more data to show that it could be effective.
For those unfamiliar, Sildenafil is normally used to treat individuals with erectile dysfunction or high blood pressure.
However, researchers have discovered that the drug could also be beneficial when it comes to preventing and possibly treating Alzheimer’s.
According to Feixiong Cheng, PhD, who led the research, they looked at computational models, insurance claims data, and brain cells in Alzheimer’s patients.
Based on what they found, sildenafil appears to lower levels of certain proteins in the brain, which are linked to Alzheimer’s.
Results also indicate boosted cell growth, brain function and reduced inflammation.
Dr. Cheng said repurposing a drug that’s already on the market is much more affordable than creating a new one.
Plus, it could be made available to the public a lot sooner.
“I think the next step is we’ll work together with our colleagues and physicians here to try and conduct a randomized clinical trial and really prove this drug may have both prevention and even intervention effects in our Cleveland Clinic patients as well,” said Dr. Cheng.
Dr. Cheng said it’s important to emphasize that while early research has been hopeful, people should not use this drug for Alzheimer’s prevention purposes.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 81,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,743 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,160 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,690-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 276 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2023, there were 13.7 million outpatient encounters, 323,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 301,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 132 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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