The Neurocritic highlighted a recent study in which sildenafil (brand name Viagra) and related drug rolipram (they're both phosphodiesterase inhibitors) improved cognitive performance in monkeys.
Both drugs were equally effective in improving the monkeys' ability to correctly reach a food treat in a transparent box with one open side, which was billed as a prefrontal "executive function" task.
PDEIs may have a neuroprotective effect, as well. But if laughter is the best medicine, Viagra art rather than the drug may be the thing to try. Learn how to make Viagra tablet-shaped cufflinks out of tampons--yes, tampons--in this step-by-step guide, or horrify guests at holiday potluck parties by bringing a Viagra-shaped mousse made with gelatin, mayonnaise, and Spam (recipe here). The study did provide more appealing food treats (apple and pear) for the object retrieval task, as no monkey would want to reach for that.
Brain & Behavior
Medicine & Health
Comments
OK, I must be seriously procrastinating because I actually clicked on those links. I think that it is hilarious that there is a website for making viagra-looking food out of spam (multiple recipes) and a website for making many different kinds of crafts out of tampons. The internet is so weird.
Posted by: Katherine | December 6, 2007 9:54 AM
So, so weird, yeah. I really liked the tampon toupee at that crafts site too, but it didn't fit with the Viagra theme. But if Rogaine turns out to stimulate neurogenesis or something, I'm ready.
More tampon crafts:
http://www.centripedus.com/tamponart/
Posted by: Sandra | December 6, 2007 5:18 PM
Wow, that spam mousse mold is impressive.
I too dabbled in Viagra art (I started making pillows that looked like prescription drug tablets). The link below is to my Viagra pillow.
http://flickr.com/photos/wundoroo/2092492732/
Posted by: Amy | December 6, 2007 8:13 PM
Nice, Amy. :)
Posted by: Sandra Kiume | December 10, 2007 3:22 PM
VIAGRA (sildenafil citrate) is indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the repeated inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. This term is now preferred over the older term, impotence, for several reasons. Impotence is associated with pejorative implications, possibly contributing to the low numbers of men with ED who have sought treatment in the past. Also, ED is only one form of male sexual dysfunction. Other forms include premature ejaculation and deficits in desire or orgasmic capabilities.)
A complete description of Viagra, instruction on the application you are going to find here [edited to remove Viagra spam link. If you want the drug, see your doctor.]
Posted by: Serg | December 11, 2007 1:47 AM
I hope Serg is being ironic. Actually, I can't believe this escaped me the whole time: most email spam is about viagra, so now viagra is literally spam!
Posted by: Brian | December 11, 2007 2:59 AM
Viagra Spam recipes, yeah. ;-)
I don't know Brian, it does seem like Serg has spammed us. Can spam be ironic and transcend spam? Maybe. Still, I'm editing out his links.
Posted by: Sandra Kiume | December 11, 2007 4:24 PM