An exploration of the serious/fun/ridiculous - past/present/future of the brain and the science that loves it....but this site is dead so visit the new omnibrain: http://scienceblogs.com/omnibrain

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Neural Erections.

Huh?! Viagra spurs neurogenesis?! hahah!!
Recent studies have shown that many types of drugs -- antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering drugs, even Viagra -- spur growth of new neurons in the brain, a process called neurogenesis. While it's unclear exactly what role neurogenesis plays in the compounds' effectiveness, scientists can use these compounds to figure out how certain drugs trigger neurogenesis and then try to find or design compounds that boost new cell growth even more effectively in the specific parts of the brain damaged in a particular disease.
Evidently neurogenesis hasn't helped Rush Limbaugh much.

posted by Steve at 7/11/2006 10:17:00 AM  

2 Comments:

Brian said...

In theory the typical use of Viagra was unintended. The compound in viagra is a vaso-dilator which essentially improves bloodflow (erm.. everywhere...). It's possible that simply increasing bloodflow might be one of the reasons the 'agra makes both of your heads big.

Thu Jul 13, 09:34:53 PM CDT

 
keli@gci.net said...

I am 37 years old. 3 times since December of 2005, I have awaken to an erection that will not go away. It is the most painful situation I have had to experience. The first time, it took 4 days before it went away. At present It happened again and I am getting concerned. I know my prostate is enlarged during these episodes, but I have no medical insurance. If I had insurance, I would not be writing. I know there is something wrong, but without money I honestly do not know what to do. Now you understand my situation!
Sincerely,
KELI

Wed Jul 26, 07:42:18 PM CDT

 

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