MIND diet plus aerobic exercise for Black adults with high blood pressure to lower dementia risk

MIND Foods and Aerobic Training in Black Adults with HTN: An ADRD Prevention Pilot RCT (MAT)

['FUNDING_R01'] · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · NIH-11311336

A program offering the MIND eating plan and regular aerobic exercise to Black adults with high blood pressure to help lower the chance of memory loss and dementia.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorINDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS (nih funded)
Locations1 site (INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11311336 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This pilot randomized program was co-designed with safety-net clinics and Black patients to combine hypertension self-management, the MIND diet, and aerobic training tailored to community preferences. Participants will attend blood-pressure education classes, get practical guidance and supports for following the MIND diet, and take part in structured aerobic activity that can be done at home or locally. The focus is on making the changes sustainable and acceptable in real-world safety-net care settings. Study staff will track blood pressure, fitness, and thinking/memory over time to see how the combined approach works.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Black (non-Hispanic) adults aged 21 and older with hypertension who are willing to try diet changes and aerobic activity are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without high blood pressure, those under age 21, or those who cannot safely participate in aerobic exercise or dietary changes may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower blood pressure and improve brain health, reducing future risk of Alzheimer's and related dementias among Black adults.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies suggest MIND-style diets and aerobic exercise can help heart health and slow cognitive decline, but combining them and co-designing the approach for Black adults with hypertension is relatively new and being tested here.

Where this research is happening

INDIANAPOLIS, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.