How will the trial work?
Participants will be randomly allocated to either 100mg losartan capsules or placebo (harmless pill with no effect) once a day for 12 months. Initially ALL patients will receive 2 weeks of losartan and then 2 weeks of placebo to ensure they can tolerate the medication before entering the year long trial.
Participants will be randomly allocated to either 100mg losartan capsules or placebo (harmless pill with no effect) once a day for 12 months. Initially ALL patients will receive 2 weeks of losartan and then 2 weeks of placebo to ensure they can tolerate the medication before entering the year long trial.
How will the effectiveness of Losartan at reducing the progression of Alzheimer’s be measured?
The main result will assess rate of whole brain shrinkage on MRI scan compared between participants on Losartan and those on placebo. We will also examine differences in brain blood flow, memory tests, day to day quality of life and changes in blood protein levels.
The main result will assess rate of whole brain shrinkage on MRI scan compared between participants on Losartan and those on placebo. We will also examine differences in brain blood flow, memory tests, day to day quality of life and changes in blood protein levels.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Possible benefits are unclear, this is why the study is being undertaken. However if the hypothesis is correct, then if you are allocated to receive the active medication this may help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, but it must be stressed that there is no guarantee. Possible risks include experiencing side-effects from the study drug, which include dizziness, low blood pressure, feeling tired or weak, too little sugar or too much in the blood. We monitor throughout the study for any potential side-effects.
Possible benefits are unclear, this is why the study is being undertaken. However if the hypothesis is correct, then if you are allocated to receive the active medication this may help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, but it must be stressed that there is no guarantee. Possible risks include experiencing side-effects from the study drug, which include dizziness, low blood pressure, feeling tired or weak, too little sugar or too much in the blood. We monitor throughout the study for any potential side-effects.
