Telmisartan to Prevent Alzheimer's in African Americans

What Is This Study About?

Blood pressure medications known as angiotensin-receptor blockers have been associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer's because they act on the renin-angiotensin system, a key regulator of blood pressure in the body and brain. These medications appear to slow the progression of Alzheimer's by affecting brain blood flow and plaque levels among Caucasians, but these benefits have not been tested in African Americans. This Phase 1 study will explore if the high blood pressure drug telmisartan (Micardis) affects cognition and biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in African Americans. Participants will be randomly assigned to take 20 mg telmisartan, 40 mg telmisartan, or a placebo once a day for eight months. Researchers will assess whether telmisartan influences the renin-angiotensin system in the brain and produces favorable effects on brain blood flow and enzymes that cause brain plaques in Alzheimer's disease. Participants will undergo cognitive and blood tests, a brain scan, and lumbar puncture.

Do I Qualify To Participate in This Study?

Must have:

• Treated high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure >100 mmHg and <200 mmHg)
• Parent or biological family member with Alzheimer's disease
• African American

Must NOT have:

• Mean resting blood pressure >200 mmHg (systolic) or >110 mmHg (diastolic)
• Participating in another investigational drug study
• Past or current use of renin-angiotensin acting medication
• Potassium >5.5 meq/dl at baseline; creatinine >1.99 mg/dl at baseline
• History of stroke
• Dementia
• Baseline Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of <27
• Contraindication for lumbar puncture or magnetic resonance imaging
• Heart failure
• Diabetes
• Pregnant or nursing

If I Qualify, Who Do I Contact?

Contact study personnel listed either under the general study contact or the location nearest you.

 

Where Is This Study Located?

Who Sponsors This Study?

Lead: Emory University

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02471833