The study, named PROTECT-Cog Study (Prevention of Risk fOr cogniTive dEcline through Combined Therapy), has $100m in funding and was announced at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2026 in London.
It follows the success of an earlier trial, US POINTER, which demonstrated that healthy lifestyle interventions — such as changes in diet, exercise, heart health and cognitive challenge and social engagement — can protect cognitive function.
The association called it the "next phase in advancing research focused on risk reduction/prevention strategies for Alzheimer's and other diseases that cause dementia."
"PROTECT-Cog builds directly on what we learned from US POINTER and takes the next critical step in prevention science," said Dr Maria C. Carrillo, Chief Science Officer and Medical Affairs Lead at the Alzheimer's Association and principal investigator of the study.
By testing a combined approach that targets both lifestyle and biology, we have the opportunity to better understand how to meaningfully reduce the risk of cognitive decline before symptoms begin.
GLP-1 receptor agonists have shown promise in reducing dementia risk, but trials have so far shown mixed results.
Recent research, such as Novo Nordisk's Phase III EVOKE trial, found that oral semaglutide failed to slow cognitive decline in early Alzheimer's.
In contrast, the firm's smaller Phase II study, ELAD, demonstrated that liraglutide slowed cognitive decline and brain atrophy by nearly 50% compared to placebo.
Notably, the literature shows that cognitive improvements are most evident in individuals with higher BMI or obesity.
The PROTECT-Cog Study will enrol older adults at increased risk of cognitive decline and compare two lifestyle intervention approaches — a structured programme with intensive coaching and support and a structured-lite programme with the same core content but fewer participant touchpoints — to evaluate their effects on cognitive health.
The study will evaluate the effects of a drug that enhances metabolism and immune function on delaying the progression of mild cognitive impairment, while also assessing frailty, quality of life and overall health.
Participants will be followed for three years, with comprehensive cognitive and health evaluations conducted every six months.
"The Alzheimer's Association is uniquely positioned to lead this next generation of dementia prevention research," said Dr Heather M. Snyder, Senior Vice President of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer's Association and staff lead on this project.
Through our leadership of US POINTER, LatAm FINGERS and the World Wide FINGERS Network, the Association has established the global infrastructure, scientific expertise and partnerships required to conduct a study of this scale.
