Lowering blood pressure to prevent cognitive decline

Preventing Cognitive Decline by Reducing BP Target Trial (PCOT)

NIH-funded research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10906225

This study is looking at whether keeping blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg can help prevent memory problems and dementia, and it's designed for people who want to see if new ways of managing blood pressure can lead to better brain health compared to regular care.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUt Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Dallas, United States)
Project IDNIH-10906225 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how lowering blood pressure to less than 130/80 mm Hg can help prevent cognitive decline, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia. It utilizes a pragmatic clinical trial approach, embedding the study within health systems to assess the effectiveness of new blood pressure management strategies in real-world settings. Patients will receive team-based care and clinical decision support to monitor and manage their blood pressure effectively. The goal is to determine if these methods lead to better cognitive outcomes compared to standard care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults with high blood pressure, particularly those at risk for cognitive decline due to conditions like chronic kidney disease or diabetes.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have high blood pressure or those without risk factors for cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of cognitive decline and dementia in patients with high blood pressure.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies, such as SPRINT and SPRINT-MIND, have shown that effective blood pressure control can reduce cognitive impairment, indicating a promising avenue for this research.

Where this research is happening

Dallas, 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 Chronic Renal 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.