Using statins to prevent dementia in older adults

PREVENTABLE Recruitment and Retention

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10913411

This study is looking at whether taking moderate doses of statin medication can help prevent dementia, like Alzheimer's, in people aged 75 and older who don’t have heart disease, and it aims to include a diverse group of 20,000 participants from across the U.S.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10913411 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates whether moderate-intensity statin therapy can help prevent dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, in individuals aged 75 and older who do not have evident coronary heart disease. The study aims to enroll 20,000 participants across the United States, focusing on diverse groups including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and those with frailty or cognitive impairment. It addresses challenges in recruiting older adults for clinical trials, such as perceived burdens and logistical issues, to ensure a robust and representative participant pool.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 75 and older without clinically evident coronary heart disease, particularly those with frailty, cognitive impairment, or multiple health conditions.

Not a fit: Patients under 75 years old or those with clinically evident coronary heart disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new preventive strategies for dementia, potentially improving the quality of life for older adults.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using statins for cardiovascular health, but this specific approach to dementia prevention is novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

Durham, 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 dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's 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.