Exercise to reduce Alzheimer's risk in older African Americans

Reducing African Americans' Alzheimer's Disease Risk Through Exercise (RAATE)"

Not applicable Interventional Pennington Biomedical Research Center · NCT03890861

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

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment125 (estimated)
Ages60 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorPennington Biomedical Research Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Trial IDNCT03890861 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are African American adults aged 60 and older who are not currently engaged in regular physical activity.

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.

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 performed: Previous studies have shown that exercise can improve cognitive function in older adults, suggesting potential success for this tailored approach.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Dementia, Alzheimer TypeAfrican AmericanAgingPhysical activityCognitionPrevention
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.