Evaluating the effects of statins on dementia and disability in older adults

PREVENTABLE Trial Implementation Phase

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10913418

This study is looking at how a moderate dose of a cholesterol-lowering medication called a statin might help prevent dementia and keep older adults aged 75 and up healthier for longer, especially those who don’t have heart disease or dementia.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10913418 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how a moderate intensity statin can impact the development of dementia and improve disability-free survival among older adults aged 75 and above who do not have heart disease or dementia. The study will involve 20,000 community-dwelling participants and will assess both cardiovascular and cognitive outcomes. Researchers will also evaluate the tolerability of statins through participant reports and reasons for discontinuation. The trial aims to implement effective protocols for enrolling participants and monitoring outcomes efficiently.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are community-dwelling individuals aged 75 years and older without a history of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease or dementia.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 75 years or those with existing cardiovascular disease or dementia may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new preventative strategies for dementia and improve the quality of life for older adults.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in using statins for cardiovascular health, but this specific approach to dementia prevention is novel.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.