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In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) in Canada have found that Viagra, commonly known as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, could potentially aid in treating babies who experience oxygen deprivation during pregnancy or birth, a condition known as neonatal encephalopathy.
Current treatment options for oxygen-deprived newborns are limited, with therapeutic hypothermia being the primary method to prevent brain damage. However, despite this treatment, nearly 29 percent of babies still develop significant neurological complications.
The team at MCH conducted a clinical study to explore the efficacy of sildenafil, marketed under the brand name Viagra, as a potential solution. “This is the first proof-of-concept study to attempt to repair the brain damage caused by neonatal encephalopathy,” the researchers stated.
The study, conducted on 24 babies with moderate to severe neonatal encephalopathy who had brain damage despite therapeutic hypothermia, demonstrated that the administration of sildenafil was both feasible and safe.
Neonatologist Pia Wintermark expressed optimism about the potential impact of this discovery, stating, “Currently, when a baby has brain damage, there is little we can offer other than supportive care… If we had a drug that could repair the brain, it could change the future of these babies.”
Previous research in rat models suggested that sildenafil possesses neurorestorative properties in adult stroke patients, prompting the team to investigate its effects on newborns with brain damage.
During the study, eight babies received sildenafil twice a day for seven days, while three received a placebo. Results showed that sildenafil was well-absorbed by the babies and did not lead to adverse effects.
Moreover, an exploratory analysis revealed promising outcomes, with five newborns treated with sildenafil showing partial healing of injury and fewer signs of brain volume loss compared to the placebo group.
Although further research is needed, Wintermark emphasized the potential significance of sildenafil in improving outcomes for newborns with neonatal encephalopathy. “Sildenafil is inexpensive and easy to administer. If it holds its promise in the next phases of the study, it could change the lives of babies suffering from neonatal encephalopathy all over the world,” she concluded.
