This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial conducted in 23 UK national health service hospital trusts, investigated the potential therapeutic value of losartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, in reducing whole brain volume atrophy developing over 12 months in patients with mild-to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. While well-tolerated, the treatment with losartan was shown to be ineffective in reducing the rate of total brain atrophy and the volume of white matter hyperintensities in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The authors suggest that further studies are needed to explore the potential therapeutic effect of losartan in patients with a milder cognitive impairment or treated for longer periods.
Kehoe PG, Turner N , Howden B, et al. Safety and efficacy of losartan for the reduction of brain atrophy in clinically diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease (the RADAR trial): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial. Lancet Neurol. 2021 Nov;20(11):895-906. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00263-5