Investigating if statins can prevent frailty in older adults
Official title: PREVENTABLE Frailty Ancillary Study
Funded at Boston VA Research Institute, INC. · NIH-11036361 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether the medication atorvastatin can help older adults aged 75 and up stay stronger and healthier by preventing or slowing down frailty, which can lead to serious health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston VA Research Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,253,145 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081287-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036361 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 75 and older who are free of cardiovascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients younger than 75 or those with existing cardiovascular disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on older adults, specifically those aged 75 and older, to determine if the medication atorvastatin can help prevent or slow the progression of frailty. Frailty is a common condition in this age group that can lead to serious health issues, including disability and dementia. Participants will be part of a larger trial that assesses the effects of atorvastatin compared to a placebo, with specific evaluations of physical performance and health outcomes. The study aims to provide evidence on whether statins can improve the quality of life for older adults by addressing frailty.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new preventive strategies for frailty, improving health outcomes and quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: While statins have been widely studied for cardiovascular disease prevention, this specific investigation into their effects on frailty in older adults is novel and has not been previously tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston VA Research Institute, INC.
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Orkaby, Ariela R — Boston VA Research Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Orkaby, Ariela R
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.