Understanding how personalized blood pressure control affects cognition in older adults
Official title: Precision blood pressure control, cognition and adverse events in older adults: detecting heterogeneity in treatment effects in randomized trialsusing machine-learning approaches
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11057202 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how different ways to manage blood pressure can affect the thinking and memory skills of older adults, especially those at risk for Alzheimer's and similar conditions, to find out who benefits the most from more intense treatment and who might face some downsides.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $302,960 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AG087481-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057202 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults with hypertension, particularly those at risk for Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger or do not have hypertension or cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different blood pressure control strategies impact cognitive health in older adults, particularly those at risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By analyzing data from multiple trials, the study aims to identify which individuals benefit from intensive blood pressure treatment and which may experience adverse effects. The approach utilizes advanced statistical methods to detect variations in treatment effects based on individual health characteristics. This personalized strategy seeks to optimize blood pressure management for older adults, enhancing their cognitive outcomes and minimizing risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to tailored blood pressure management strategies that improve cognitive health and reduce adverse events in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown mixed results regarding blood pressure control and cognitive outcomes, indicating that this approach could provide new insights into personalized treatment strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Yuan — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Ma, Yuan
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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.