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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Impact of Intensive Treatment of SBP on Brain Perfusion, Amyloid, and Tau (IPAT Study)

Impact of Intensive Treatment of Systolic Blood Pressure on Brain Perfusion, Amyloid, and Tau in Older Adults (IPAT Study)

Impact of Intensive Treatment of SBP on Brain Perfusion, Amyloid, and Tau (IPAT Study) (NCT05331144) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Cognitively Normal Older Adults and Hypertension, sponsored by Rong Zhang. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The purpose of this study is to determine if intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure (SBP), using FDA approved medications (antihypertensive), reduces Alzheimer's Disease pathology (i.e., excessive brain amyloid and tau protein deposition) in older adults at high risk for memory decline or dementia.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Cognitively Normal Older Adults and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 180 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Cognitively Normal Older Adults subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Age 60-85, all races/ethnicities, and both sexes are eligible; - Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) ≥ 26 to exclude gross dementia; based on clinical judgment, may be rescreened in ≥ 7 days; - Individuals with SBP ≥ 130 and SBP ≤ 180 if on 0 or 1 antihypertensive medications; ≥130 and ≤170 on up to 2 medications; ≥130 and ≤160 on up to 3 medications; ≥130 and ≤150 on up to 4 medications. Those on antihypertensives are eligible. If an individual, not treated for hypertension (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 or Spanish or both, adequate visual and auditory acuity to allow neuropsychological testing; - Participants must have a regular healthcare provider. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - 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; ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 60-85, all races/ethnicities, and both sexes are eligible; * Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) ≥ 26 to exclude gross dementia; based on clinical judgment, may be rescreened in ≥ 7 days; * Individuals with SBP ≥ 130 and SBP ≤ 180 if on 0 or 1 antihypertensive medications; ≥130 and ≤170 on up to 2 medications; ≥130 and ≤160 on up to 3 medications; ≥130 and ≤150 on up to 4 medications. Those on antihypertensives are eligible. If an individual, not treated for hypertension (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 or Spanish or both, adequate visual and auditory acuity to allow neuropsychological testing; * Participants must have a regular healthcare provider. 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 antiarrhythmic drugs including flecainide, propafenone, dronedarone, sotalol, dofetilide, and amiodarone; or clinical concerns for safely participating in 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 rheumatica; * 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 cigarettes within the past year; * Pacemaker or other medical device of metal that precludes performing MRI; * Women with a potential for pregnancy, lactation/childbearing (2 year post-menopausal or surgically sterile to be considered not childbearing potential); * Participant enrolled in another investigational drug or device study, either currently or within the past 2 months; * Severe obesity with BMI \> 40 ; 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 amlodipine; * Abnormal screening laboratory tests (e.g., liver ALT and AST \> 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: 1. Plans to move outside the clinic catchment area in the next 2 years; 2. Significant concerns about participation in the study from spouse, significant other, or family members; 3. Lack of support from primary health care provider; 4. 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; 5. Residence in a nursing home; persons residing in an assisted living or retirement community are eligible if they meet the other criteria; 6. 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. 7. Couples or significant partners who live together cannot be enrolled or participate simultaneously in the study.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs, losartan) and Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB, amlodipine)

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs, losartan) and Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB, amlodipine) will be used to treat high blood pressure. Additional antihypertensive medications may be used if needed.

OTHER

PCP

Participants will follow their PCP's recommendations for BP control.

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT05331144), the sponsor (Rong Zhang), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT05331144 clinical trial studying?

The purpose of this study is to determine if intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure (SBP), using FDA approved medications (antihypertensive), reduces Alzheimer's Disease pathology (i.e., excessive brain amyloid and tau protein deposition) in older adults at high risk for memory decline or dementia. The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT05331144?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT05331144?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT05331144. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT05331144. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.