~1 spots leftby Jul 2025

Atorvastatin for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Dr. Paul B. Rosenberg, MD - Baltimore ...
Overseen byPaul Rosenberg, MD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Phase 2
Recruiting
Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University
Must not be taking: Statins, Cyclosporine
Disqualifiers: Dementia, Substance abuse, Stroke, others
No Placebo Group
Prior Safety Data
Approved in 6 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on brain vessel reactivity and with it on blood flow in people with mild cognitive impairment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you have not taken statins in the last 6 months, but it does not specify about other medications. If you are currently taking a statin, you would need to stop and wait for 6 months before participating.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug Atorvastatin for mild cognitive impairment?

Research suggests that atorvastatin, a drug used to lower cholesterol, may help improve memory and thinking skills in people with Alzheimer's disease, which is a more severe form of cognitive decline. Additionally, statins, including atorvastatin, have been linked to delaying cognitive decline and dementia in people with mild cognitive impairment.12345

Is atorvastatin safe for humans?

Atorvastatin is generally considered safe and well-tolerated in humans, with extensive data showing it has a low incidence of side effects. However, there have been some reports of cognitive impairment in a few individuals taking statins, including atorvastatin, though this is not a common effect.15678

How does the drug Atorvastatin differ from other treatments for mild cognitive impairment?

Atorvastatin is unique because it is primarily a cholesterol-lowering drug that may also help with mild cognitive impairment by reducing inflammation and improving brain function, which is not the primary focus of other treatments for this condition.134910

Research Team

Dr. Paul B. Rosenberg, MD - Baltimore ...

Paul Rosenberg, MD

Principal Investigator

Johns Hopkins University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people with mild cognitive impairment who have memory or other cognitive issues not caused by another neurological disease. Participants should not be diagnosed with dementia, currently taking statins, or have taken them in the last six months. They must also be able to undergo MRI scans.

Inclusion Criteria

Not demented by history.
I haven't taken statins in the last 6 months.
Your cognitive test scores for memory, processing speed, executive function, and language are very low (more than 1.5 standard deviations below normal for your age and education).
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

You have been diagnosed with dementia in the past or have a history of dementia.
I am a transplant patient on cyclosporine.
I have not had a stroke or heart attack in the last 6 months.
See 5 more

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks
Phone screen

Treatment

Participants receive 40 mg atorvastatin orally daily in the evening for 12 weeks

12 weeks
Baseline visit, regular follow-up visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Atorvastatin (Statins)
Trial OverviewThe study tests if Atorvastatin, a medication typically used to lower cholesterol, can improve how well blood vessels in the brain respond and thus potentially increase blood flow in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Atorvastatin 40 mgExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants receive 40 mg atorvastatin orally daily in the evening.

Atorvastatin is already approved in Canada, Japan, China, Switzerland for the following indications:

🇨🇦
Approved in Canada as Lipitor for:
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Mixed dyslipidemia
  • Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
  • Prevention of cardiovascular disease
🇯🇵
Approved in Japan as Lipitor for:
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Mixed dyslipidemia
  • Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
🇨🇳
Approved in China as Lipitor for:
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Mixed dyslipidemia
  • Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
🇨🇭
Approved in Switzerland as Lipitor for:
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Mixed dyslipidemia
  • Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Johns Hopkins University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
2,366
Recruited
15,160,000+
Theodore DeWeese profile image

Theodore DeWeese

Johns Hopkins University

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

MD from an unspecified institution

Allen Kachalia profile image

Allen Kachalia

Johns Hopkins University

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD from an unspecified institution

The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer Disease

Collaborator

Trials
1
Recruited
20+

Findings from Research

A 1-year double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 80 mg of atorvastatin daily showed significant cognitive and memory improvements in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease after 6 months, with a continued positive trend at 1 year.
The benefits of atorvastatin were more pronounced in patients who had higher baseline cognitive function, suggesting that earlier treatment may enhance its effectiveness in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Statin therapy in Alzheimer's disease.Sparks, DL., Sabbagh, M., Connor, D., et al.[2015]
In a study of 3069 cognitively healthy elderly patients aged 75 and older, the use of statins was linked to a reduced risk of developing all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a protective effect against cognitive decline.
However, the same protective effect was not observed in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at baseline, indicating that statins may be more beneficial for those without existing cognitive issues.
Statins, risk of dementia, and cognitive function: secondary analysis of the ginkgo evaluation of memory study.Bettermann, K., Arnold, AM., Williamson, J., et al.[2022]
Statin use is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing dementia, with statin users having a two- to threefold reduced risk compared to non-users, independent of serum cholesterol levels, based on a study of 1604 participants followed for about 25 years.
Higher total cholesterol levels at the first visit were linked to a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), while a decline in total cholesterol was associated with increased dementia risk in men, suggesting complex relationships between cholesterol levels and cognitive health.
Statins and serum cholesterol's associations with incident dementia and mild cognitive impairment.Beydoun, MA., Beason-Held, LL., Kitner-Triolo, MH., et al.[2022]

References

Statin therapy in Alzheimer's disease. [2015]
Statins, risk of dementia, and cognitive function: secondary analysis of the ginkgo evaluation of memory study. [2022]
Statins and serum cholesterol's associations with incident dementia and mild cognitive impairment. [2022]
The Atorvastatin/Donepezil in Alzheimer's Disease Study (LEADe): design and baseline characteristics. [2018]
Systematic review of atorvastatin for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. [2020]
Cognitive impairment associated with atorvastatin and simvastatin. [2022]
Atorvastatin: a safety and tolerability profile. [2021]
Are statins protective or harmful to cognitive function? [2017]
Atorvastatin. [2019]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Atorvastatin mitigates memory deficits and brain monocyte infiltration in chronic hypercholesterolemia. [2023]