Exercise to reduce Alzheimer's risk in older African Americans
Official title: Reducing African Americans' Alzheimer's Disease Risk Through Exercise (RAATE)"
Run by Pennington Biomedical Research Center · NCT03890861 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if a special exercise program can help older African American adults at risk for Alzheimer's improve their memory and brain health.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 125 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Pennington Biomedical Research Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 9, 2019 |
| Main results expected | November 2025 |
| Study ends | November 2026 |
| Registry record updated | November 25, 2024 |
| Trial ID | NCT03890861 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are African American adults aged 60 and older who are not currently engaged in regular physical activity.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with cognitive impairments that interfere with group participation or those unable to safely engage in exercise may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a tailored physical activity program on cognitive function and brain health in older African American adults at risk for Alzheimer's Disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the physical activity intervention or an active control group. The study focuses on measuring changes in episodic memory, executive functioning, and various physiological parameters associated with Alzheimer's. By promoting regular exercise, the study seeks to address health disparities and improve cognitive outcomes in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to effective strategies for reducing Alzheimer's Disease risk and improving cognitive health in older African Americans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that exercise can improve cognitive function in older adults, suggesting potential success for this tailored approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. self- identify as African American 2. 60 years and older 3. willing to accept randomization 4. willing to attend group sessions 5. lacking plans to move during the study period 6. free of conditions that would make regular exercise unsafe (e.g. uncontrolled asthma, severe sickle cell disease, etc.) 7. not engaged in regular physical activity 8. Short Physical Performance Battery score \>/= 4 9. physically capable of exercise, Exclusion Criteria: 1. cognitive impairment that would interfere with participating in group interactions 2. unwilling to give written informed consent 3. inability to attend group sessions 4. conditions that prevent regular exercise 5. conditions that the medical or principal investigator determine to warrant exclusion
Where it's running
-
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Robert L Newton, Jr., PhD — Pennington Biomedical Research Center
- Study coordinator: Melissa Harris, PhD
- Email: Melissa.Harris@pbrc.edu
- Phone: 225763091
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.