Investigating how statins may prevent dementia in older adults

PREVENTABLE Biorepository and Laboratory

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10913413

This study is looking at how taking moderate-intensity statin medications might help prevent dementia, like Alzheimer's, in older adults aged 75 and up who don’t have heart disease, to see if these meds can help them live healthier, longer lives.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10913413 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on collecting and analyzing biological samples from 17,000 older adults to explore the effects of moderate-intensity statin therapy on preventing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Participants will be those aged 75 and older who do not have evident coronary heart disease, and the study aims to understand how these medications can prolong a healthy life without disability. By examining these biospecimens, researchers hope to identify which subgroups of patients may benefit the most from statin treatment and uncover new insights into the mechanisms of dementia and cardiovascular disease. The Mayo Clinic's advanced biobanking operations will ensure high-quality sample management and analysis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 75 and above who do not have clinically evident coronary heart disease.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 75 or those with clinically evident coronary heart disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing dementia and improving 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 relatively 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 2026-06-14 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.