Preventing dementia with a moderate-dose statin in older adults
PREVENTABLE Clinical Sites Core
This project is seeing if giving a moderate-dose statin to older adults without dementia or heart disease can lower the chance of dementia and help people stay disability-free longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179173 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a large, nationwide effort that randomly assigns about 20,000 older adults to receive a moderate-intensity statin or usual care and then follows health records and visits over time. The work is run through a network of about 35 health systems and 60 VA hospitals, including rural and urban sites and Puerto Rico. The team uses shared electronic health record data and existing agreements to quickly identify eligible people and track outcomes like dementia diagnosis and years lived without disability. The study includes people aged 75 and up and also enrolls those with frailty, mild cognitive changes, multiple health problems, or many medications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults without a diagnosis of dementia or clinically evident coronary heart disease, including adults aged 75 and older and those with frailty or mild cognitive impairment.
Not a fit: People who already have dementia, those with active coronary heart disease, or those who cannot safely take statins would not be expected to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower dementia risk and increase the time older adults live without disability.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies of statins for dementia prevention have had mixed or inconclusive results, so this large randomized effort is meant to provide clearer answers.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hernandez, Adrian — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Hernandez, Adrian
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 below.