Risk Reduction for Alzheimer's Disease

Numerous lines of evidence suggest that interventions that confer therapeutic benefits for cardiovascular health are also associated with improvements in, or preservation of, cognitive function. Many believe "What's good for the heart is good for the brain." However, stronge scientific evidence is needed to prove this hypothesis. The rrAD study is a 4-arm, multicenter, randomized trial to assess the effects of aerobic exercise training and intensive pharmacological reduction of vascular risk factors on cognitive performance in older adults who have high risk for AD, that is, those who have high blood pressure, family history of dementia or subjective memory complaints. Furthermore, rrAD will examine effects of exercise and vascular risk reduction on brain volume, perfusion, and neural network connectivity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Inclusion criteria

• Age 60-85, all races/ethnicities, and both sexes are eligible.
• a) A positive family history of dementia defined as having at least one first-degree relative with a history of AD or other type of dementia,or b) having subjective cognitive decline.
• Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) ≥ 26 to exclude gross dementia.
• Must lead a sedentary lifestyle defined by not having an "active" rating on Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA), i.e., score below 6 on RAPA.
• a) Individuals treated for HTN with 110 ≤ SBP ≤ 130 mmHg; or b) Individuals with SBP > 130 and SBP < 180 (If an individual, not treated for HTN, has a SBP ≥ 125 mmHg, consider rescreening after 24 hours).
• Willingness to be randomized into the treatment groups and ability to return to clinic for follow-up visits over 24 months.
• Fluency in English, adequate visual and auditory acuity to allow neuropsychological testing.
• Participants must have a regular healthcare provider.
• Physical ability to undergo exercise training; able to walk 10 minutes without pain.

Exclusion criteria

• Clinically documented history of stroke, focal neurological signs or other major cerebrovascular diseases based on clinical judgment or MRI/CT scans such as evidence of infection, infarction or other brain lesions.
• Diagnosis of AD or other type of dementia, or significant neurologic diseases such as Parkinson's disease, seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, history of severe head trauma or normal pressure hydrocephalus.
• Evidence of severe major depression (GDS > 12, may be rescreened after 12 weeks or longer if evidence of reactive depression or temporary mood disturbances) or clinically significant psychopathology(e.g. psychosis and schizophrenia); if hospitalized in past year, can be rescreened in 6 months; or presence of a major psychiatric disorder that in the investigator's opinion, could interfere with adherence to research assessments or procedures.
• Unstable heart disease based on clinical judgment (e.g., heart attack/cardiac arrest, cardiac bypass procedures within previous 6 months and congestive heart failure),or other severe medical conditions.
• History of atrial fibrillation and evidence on ECG with any of the following: active symptoms of persistent palpitation, dizziness, history of syncope, chest pain, dyspnea, orthopnea, shortness of breath at rest, or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea within the past 6 months; resting heart rate of < 30 or > 110 bpm; taking class I or III anti-arrhythmic drugs including flecanide, propafenone, dronedarone, sotalol, dofetilide, and amiodarone; or clinical concerns for safely participating in exercise and lowering blood pressure.
• Systolic BP equal or greater than 180 mmHg and/or diastolic BP equal or greater than 110 mmHg, may be rescreened in 1 week.
• Orthostatic hypotension, defined as the third standing SBP < 100mmHg, may be rescreened after 2 weeks.
• History of significant autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or polymyalgia rheumatic.
• Significant history of alcoholism or drug abuse within the last five years.
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, defined as hemoglobin A1C > 7.5%, or requiring insulin treatment.
• Regularly smoking cigarette within the past year.
• Women with a potential for pregnancy, lactation/child bearing (2 year post- menopausal or surgically sterile to be considered not child bearing potential).
• Participant enrolled in another investigational drug or device study, either currently or within the past 2 months.
• Severe obesity with BMI ≥ 45; clinical judgment should be applied in all cases to assess patient safety and anticipated compliance.
• Allergy to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), i.e., drugs that have a suffix "-sartan".
• Allergy to other study drugs or their ingredients; for example, clinical history or self-reported allergy or intolerance to atorvastatin.
• Abnormal screening laboratory tests (e.g., liver ALT and AST > 3 x ULN, CK > 3 x ULN, GFR < 30 or Hct < 28%); may be rescreened after 2 weeks or longer.
• A medical condition likely to limit survival to less than 3 years.
• Participant has any condition(s) judged by the study investigator to be medically inappropriate, risky or likely to cause poor study compliance. For example:

• Plans to move outside the clinic catchment area in the next 2 years;
• Significant concerns about participation in the study from spouse, significant other, or family members;
• Lack of support from primary health care provider;
• Residence too far from the study clinic site such that transportation is a barrier including persons who require transportation assistance provided by the study clinic funds for screening or randomization visits;
• Residence in a nursing home; persons residing in an assisted living or retirement community are eligible if they meet the other criteria.
• Other medical, psychiatric, or behavioral factors that, in the judgment of the site PI or clinician, may interfere with study participation or the ability to follow the study Protocol.
• Couples or significant partners who live together cannot be enrolled or participate simultaneously in the study.
• Lack of approval from participant's regular healthcare providers, i.e. a signed letter of agreement for the participants to be enrolled in rrAD.