~72 spots leftby Jul 2026

Deprescribing for Dementia

(R2D2 Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
+2 other locations
NL
Overseen byNoll L Campbell, PharmD, MS
Age: 65+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Waitlist Available
Sponsor: Indiana University
Must be taking: Anticholinergics
Must not be taking: Alzheimer's medications
Disqualifiers: Nursing home, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, others
No Placebo Group
Approved in 1 Jurisdiction

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

A cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT) called "Reducing Risk of Dementia through Deprescribing" (R2D2) to evaluate the impact of a deprescribing intervention on important cognitive and safety outcomes.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial focuses on reducing the use of certain anticholinergic medications, so you may need to stop or reduce these specific drugs. The protocol does not specify if you must stop other medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of deprescribing anticholinergic medications for dementia?

Research suggests that reducing anticholinergic medications in dementia patients can be beneficial, as a high anticholinergic burden is linked to worse treatment outcomes, increased delirium, and higher mortality rates. Deprescribing these medications may help improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of adverse effects.12345

Is deprescribing anticholinergic medications safe for people with dementia?

Deprescribing anticholinergic medications, which are often used in older adults with dementia, can be safe and may help reduce the risk of further cognitive decline or neuropsychiatric issues. Reducing the use of these medications can lower the 'anticholinergic burden' (the combined effect of all anticholinergic medications a person takes), which is linked to adverse effects.14678

How is the deprescribing of anticholinergic drugs unique for dementia treatment?

Deprescribing anticholinergic drugs for dementia is unique because it focuses on reducing the overall anticholinergic burden, which may help minimize cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric symptoms, unlike other treatments that add medications. This approach is different from standard treatments that often involve prescribing additional drugs, potentially leading to a prescribing cascade.1491011

Research Team

NL

Noll L Campbell, PharmD, MS

Principal Investigator

Indiana University/Purdue University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people aged 65 or older who have seen their primary care doctor in the past year, are currently using certain anticholinergic medications known to affect memory, can speak English, and have a phone. It's not for those living in nursing homes or with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to communicate in English
I have seen my primary care doctor in the last year.
Access to a telephone
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

Permanent resident of an extended care facility (nursing home)
I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder.
I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or a similar type of dementia.

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Deprescribing of target anticholinergics (Other)
  • Usual Care (Other)
Trial OverviewThe study tests if stopping the use of specific anticholinergic drugs (deprescribing) can improve cognitive function compared to usual care without deprescribing. Participants will be grouped by their healthcare provider and randomly assigned to either continue usual care or start the deprescribing process.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Active Intervention (ACT)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Pharmacist-based Deprescribing
Group II: Usual Care (UC)Placebo Group1 Intervention
Usual Care

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Indiana University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,063
Recruited
1,182,000+
Alan Palkowitz profile image

Alan Palkowitz

Indiana University

Chief Executive Officer since 2020

PhD in Chemistry from Indiana University

David Ingram profile image

David Ingram

Indiana University

Chief Medical Officer since 2020

MD from Indiana University School of Medicine

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials
1,841
Recruited
28,150,000+

Dr. Richard J. Hodes

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Chief Executive Officer since 1993

MD from Harvard Medical School

Dr. Marie Bernard

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Chief Medical Officer

MD from Harvard Medical School

Findings from Research

In a study of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older with severe dementia, 15% were found to be co-prescribed anticholinergics alongside cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), indicating a potential prescribing cascade that could lead to harmful effects.
Discontinuing ChEIs was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of stopping anticholinergic medications, suggesting that reversing this prescribing cascade is challenging and highlighting the need for better deprescribing practices.
Anticholinergic co-prescribing in nursing home residents using cholinesterase inhibitors: Potential deprescribing cascade.Gromek, KR., Thorpe, CT., Aspinall, SL., et al.[2023]
In a study of 25,825 older adults starting cholinesterase inhibitors, 6% had a high anticholinergic burden, which was linked to a higher rate of treatment modifications (34.9% vs. 32.1%) and increased instances of delirium (5.6% vs. 3.6%).
An average Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) score greater than 3 within the first three months significantly raised the risk of treatment modification, delirium, and mortality, indicating that high anticholinergic burden is a serious concern for dementia patients on these medications.
Effect of anticholinergic burden on treatment modification, delirium and mortality in newly diagnosed dementia patients starting a cholinesterase inhibitor: A population-based study.Ah, YM., Suh, Y., Jun, K., et al.[2022]
In a study of over 91,000 older adults newly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors for dementia, it was found that seeing more physicians was linked to a higher risk of anticholinergic drug burden, with a 24% increase in odds for every five additional doctors consulted.
While community-dwelling seniors showed a clear association between multiple physicians and increased anticholinergic burden, this link was not statistically significant for those in long-term care, highlighting the need for better communication among healthcare providers to manage medication risks.
Anticholinergic Drug Burden in Persons with Dementia Taking a Cholinesterase Inhibitor: The Effect of Multiple Physicians.Reppas-Rindlisbacher, CE., Fischer, HD., Fung, K., et al.[2021]

References

Anticholinergic co-prescribing in nursing home residents using cholinesterase inhibitors: Potential deprescribing cascade. [2023]
Effect of anticholinergic burden on treatment modification, delirium and mortality in newly diagnosed dementia patients starting a cholinesterase inhibitor: A population-based study. [2022]
Anticholinergic Drug Burden in Persons with Dementia Taking a Cholinesterase Inhibitor: The Effect of Multiple Physicians. [2021]
Anticholinergic burden for prediction of cognitive decline or neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. [2023]
The use of medications with known or potential anticholinergic activity in patients with dementia receiving cholinesterase inhibitors. [2006]
Anticholinergic medicines use among older adults before and after initiating dementia medicines. [2021]
Factors Associated With Deprescribing Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors in Older Nursing Home Residents With Severe Dementia. [2020]
Anticholinergic burden (prognostic factor) for prediction of dementia or cognitive decline in older adults with no known cognitive syndrome. [2022]
Anticholinergic Drug Exposure and the Risk of Dementia: There Is Modest Evidence for an Association but Not for Causality. [2020]
Tolerability of Cholinesterase Inhibitors: A Population-Based Study of Persistence, Adherence, and Switching. [2018]
Anti-cholinergic drug burden in patients with dementia increases after hospital admission: a multicentre cross-sectional study. [2022]