Reducing the risk of dementia by stopping certain medications in older adults

Reducing Risk of Dementia through De-prescribing (R2D2)

NIH-funded research Purdue University · NIH-10605238

This study is looking at whether stopping certain medications that can affect memory might help older adults think better and lower their chances of developing Alzheimer's or other types of dementia, and it’s designed for older patients who are currently taking these medications and may be at risk for memory problems.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPurdue University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (West Lafayette, United States)
Project IDNIH-10605238 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effects of stopping anticholinergic medications in older adults to see if it can improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The study will involve a pharmacist-led program that helps primary care patients who are currently using these medications and are at risk for cognitive decline. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive usual care or an active intervention aimed at de-prescribing these medications. The goal is to determine if this approach leads to better cognitive outcomes over time.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults currently taking anticholinergic medications and experiencing cognitive complaints or showing signs of cognitive decline.

Not a fit: Patients who already have a diagnosis of dementia may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help improve cognitive health and reduce the risk of dementia in older adults by identifying safer medication practices.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that reducing the use of anticholinergic medications may lower the risk of cognitive decline, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

West Lafayette, 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 dementia
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.