Efficacy and Safety Study of Digital Cognitive Training and PCSK9 Inhibitor-Enhanced Lipid-lowering Strategy in Patients With Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis: A 2x2 Factorial, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Multicenter Trial

September 10, 2026 updated by: ZijueWang, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

This study aims to evaluate whether digital cognitive training and/or PCSK9 inhibitor-enhanced lipid-lowering therapy on top of moderate-intensity statin can improve cognitive function in patients with intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS).

ICAS is a common cause of stroke and is also linked to thinking and memory problems. The study will enroll 440 adults aged 55-80 years who have 50-99% narrowing of an intracranial artery, subjective memory complaints, and LDL cholesterol ≥1.8 mmol/L, but who are not demented.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups in a 2×2 factorial, parallel-group design:

No cognitive training + moderate-intensity statin therapy

Cognitive training + moderate-intensity statin therapy

No cognitive training + moderate-intensity statin plus PCSK9 inhibitor

Cognitive training + moderate-intensity statin plus PCSK9 inhibitor

Cognitive training consists of 30 minutes of tablet-based exercises, 5 days per week for 24 weeks (first 12 weeks as the intensive phase, followed by 12 weeks continuation phase). The PCSK9 inhibitor (Recaticimab) is administered subcutaneously according to the product label, on top of moderate-intensity statin.

The main outcome is change in a composite cognitive score from baseline to 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes include changes in specific cognitive domains, serum LDL-C, MRI markers of brain structure and function, and safety measures.

The study is multicenter, open-label with blinded outcome assessment, and is conducted under the approval of the ethics committee of Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This is a national, multicenter, 2×2 factorial, randomized, parallel-group controlled trial with a PROBE design (Prospective, Randomized, Open-label, Blinded Endpoint assessment). The study is conducted in China and is approved by the Institutional Review Board of Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Background and Rationale:

Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is highly prevalent in Asian populations and is associated with both ischemic stroke and vascular cognitive impairment. Chronic hypoperfusion, microemboli, and white matter damage contribute to cognitive decline. While digital cognitive training has shown benefit in mild cognitive impairment, and PCSK9 inhibitors profoundly lower LDL-C and stabilize plaque, no trial has directly tested their combined effect on cognition in ICAS patients. This study aims to fill that gap.

Study Objectives:

Primary Objective A: To evaluate the effect of digital cognitive training versus active control on change from baseline in a composite cognitive Z-score at 24 weeks.

Primary Objective B: To evaluate the effect of adding a PCSK9 inhibitor to moderate-intensity statin therapy versus not adding it on change from baseline in a composite cognitive Z-score at 24 weeks.

Secondary and exploratory objectives include assessing effects on cognitive domains, serum LDL-C, MRI markers, plasma biomarkers, and testing the interaction between the two interventions.

Sample Size:

A total of 440 participants will be enrolled (110 per group, 1:1:1:1). Power calculation assumes a standardized effect size dΔ = 0.30 for the composite cognitive Z-score change, two-sided α = 0.05, power = 80%, and 20% missing primary outcome at week 24. Both marginal comparisons are powered at 80%.

Randomization and Blinding:

Subjects are randomized 1:1:1:1 via an interactive web response system (IWRS), stratified by center and prior stroke/TIA status. Random block sizes are used. The study is open-label for interventions, but outcome assessors (neuropsychological testers, MRI readers) are blinded. Separate blinded and unblinded teams manage assessments and intervention delivery.

Interventions:

Factor A (cognitive training): The intervention group receives 24 weeks of adaptive, multi-domain digital cognitive training (first 12 weeks intensive phase, followed by 12 weeks continuation phase), 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week. The control group receives active control consisting of science popularization and health education push notifications.

Factor B (lipid-lowering): Both groups receive moderate-intensity statin (rosuvastatin 10 mg or atorvastatin 20 mg daily) with optional ezetimibe. The intervention group additionally receives subcutaneous PCSK9 inhibitor (Recaticimab) according to the product label.

Statistical Analysis:

Primary analysis will use a mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) jointly analyzing the change from baseline in composite cognitive Z-score at weeks 12 and 24. Fixed effects include Factor A, Factor B, visit, A×visit, B×visit, and randomization stratification factors. Factor A and Factor B are tested at two-sided α = 0.05 without fixed sequence. The primary model does not include the A×B interaction term; interaction is assessed in an exploratory model. Intention-to-treat analysis is primary, with per-protocol and sensitivity analyses (including cLDA and MNAR scenarios).

Data Monitoring and Ethics:

The study is monitored by independent clinical research associates. Serious adverse events are reported within 24 hours. Data is collected via EDC. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

440

Phase

  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • China
    • Beijing Municipality
      • Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China, 100730
        • Peking Union Medical College Hospital
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age 55-80 years old
  2. The number of years of education is greater than or equal to 6 years
  3. 50%-99% stenosis of the intracranial artery confirmed by MRA, CTA or DSA
  4. Head CT or MRI confirmed that there were no infarct lesions/softening foci larger than 3 cm in the brain
  5. LDL-C ≥ 1.8mmol/L at baseline
  6. Decline in cognitive function of the complainant
  7. MMSE ≥ 24 points; no severe impairment of daily living and social functioning, and the daily living ability scale (ADL, 14-item BADL and IADL combined version, total score range of 14-56 points) <=18; and the investigator's clinical assessment does not meet the diagnosis of dementia (DSM-V or NIA-AA diagnostic criteria)
  8. Proficient in operating electronic products such as mobile phones and tablets
  9. Complete the operation evaluation through the introduction period (see the definition of the introduction period)
  10. Agree to receive moderate-intensity statin and PCSK9 inhibitor therapy during the study period
  11. Able to cooperate with neuropsychological and multimodal magnetic resonance examinations

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Extracranial cervical artery stenosis ≥ 50%
  2. Acute cerebrovascular events within 90 days
  3. Contraindications to MRI (metal implants in the body, claustrophobia, etc.)
  4. Visual and auditory impairments, as well as communication difficulties, that affect cognitive training
  5. Clinically diagnosed vascular dementia
  6. Neuroimaging showing significant white matter lesions (Fazekas grade 3) or multiple microbleeds
  7. Non-atherosclerotic intracranial artery stenosis (such as vasculitis, moyamoya disease, dissection, etc.)
  8. Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc.)
  9. Severe comorbidities (tumors, multiple sclerosis, severe cardiopulmonary and renal diseases, intracranial aneurysms)
  10. Other diseases that may affect cognition have been ruled out; severe anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia; a new stroke occurring within the 3 months prior to baseline; hereditary or inflammatory small vessel diseases; presence of any of the following clear sources of cardioembolic events: mitral stenosis, mechanical heart valves, endocarditis, intracardiac clots or vegetations, dilated cardiomyopathy, chronic or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, ejection fraction less than 30%
  11. Planning to use medications that may affect cognitive function within the past 3 months or in the following 24 weeks, including large amounts of sedatives, anti-anxiety drugs, cognitive enhancers, and cholinergic agents.(12) Previously treated with a PCSK9 inhibitor
  12. Having a clear contraindication or severe intolerance to PCSK9 inhibitors or statins (such as a history of severe allergic reactions)
  13. Presence of significant liver or muscle safety abnormalities at baseline, or the investigator deems the patient unsuitable for intensive lipid-lowering therapy (for example, significantly elevated ALT or AST, significantly elevated CK, etc.; the thresholds can be based on the reference ranges of each center's laboratory and specified in the protocol in advance)
  14. Other circumstances deemed inappropriate for enrollment by the investigator

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Control group
No digital cognitive training + moderate-intensity statin only. Participants receive moderate-intensity statin (rosuvastatin 10mg or atorvastatin 20mg daily, with optional ezetimibe 10mg at investigator discretion) for 24 weeks. No digital cognitive training. Instead, they receive science popularization and health education push notifications as active control.
Drug: Ezetimibe
Ezetimibe 10mg orally once daily, at investigator's discretion, in combination with statin therapy for 24 weeks.
Drug: Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin 10mg or Atorvastatin 20mg orally once daily, at the moderate-intensity dose, for 24 weeks. Dose may be adjusted for intolerance or safety.
Behavioral: Active Control
Participants receive science popularization and health education push notifications. Used to control for non-specific effects of study participation and attention.
Experimental: Lipid-lowering intervention group
No digital cognitive training + moderate-intensity statin plus PCSK9 inhibitor. Participants receive moderate-intensity statin (as in Arm 1) plus subcutaneous PCSK9 inhibitor (Recaticimab) injections according to the product label. No digital cognitive training; they receive the same science popularization and health education push notifications as in Arm 1. Total treatment duration is 24 weeks.
Drug: Ezetimibe
Ezetimibe 10mg orally once daily, at investigator's discretion, in combination with statin therapy for 24 weeks.
Drug: Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin 10mg or Atorvastatin 20mg orally once daily, at the moderate-intensity dose, for 24 weeks. Dose may be adjusted for intolerance or safety.
Behavioral: Active Control
Participants receive science popularization and health education push notifications. Used to control for non-specific effects of study participation and attention.
Drug: Recaticimab
Recaticimab (PCSK9 inhibitor) subcutaneous injection according to the product label, on top of moderate-intensity statin ± ezetimibe. Total treatment duration 24 weeks.
Experimental: Training intervention group
Digital cognitive training + moderate-intensity statin only. Participants receive moderate-intensity statin (as in Arm 1) for 24 weeks. In addition, they undergo 24 weeks of digital cognitive training: adaptive, multi-domain (processing speed, attention, perception, memory, language, executive function) delivered via tablet. The first 12 weeks are the intensive phase, followed by 12 weeks of continuation training. Participants are asked to train 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week. Minimum dose: ≥3 days/week and ≥20 minutes/session or ≥60 minutes/week.
Drug: Ezetimibe
Ezetimibe 10mg orally once daily, at investigator's discretion, in combination with statin therapy for 24 weeks.
Drug: Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin 10mg or Atorvastatin 20mg orally once daily, at the moderate-intensity dose, for 24 weeks. Dose may be adjusted for intolerance or safety.
Behavioral: Digital Cognitive Training
Tablet-based adaptive cognitive training covering six domains: processing speed, attention, perception, memory, language, and executive function. Participants are instructed to train 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 24 weeks (first 12 weeks as the intensive phase, followed by 12 weeks continuation phase). The system adjusts difficulty based on performance.
Other Names:
  • Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT)
Experimental: Combined intervention group
Digital cognitive training + moderate-intensity statin plus PCSK9 inhibitor. Participants receive both interventions: moderate-intensity statin plus PCSK9 inhibitor (Recaticimab injections according to the product label as in Arm 3) and 24 weeks of digital cognitive training (same adaptive program as in Arm 2, first 12 weeks intensive phase followed by 12 weeks continuation phase). Total treatment duration is 24 weeks.
Drug: Ezetimibe
Ezetimibe 10mg orally once daily, at investigator's discretion, in combination with statin therapy for 24 weeks.
Drug: Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin 10mg or Atorvastatin 20mg orally once daily, at the moderate-intensity dose, for 24 weeks. Dose may be adjusted for intolerance or safety.
Drug: Recaticimab
Recaticimab (PCSK9 inhibitor) subcutaneous injection according to the product label, on top of moderate-intensity statin ± ezetimibe. Total treatment duration 24 weeks.
Behavioral: Digital Cognitive Training
Tablet-based adaptive cognitive training covering six domains: processing speed, attention, perception, memory, language, and executive function. Participants are instructed to train 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 24 weeks (first 12 weeks as the intensive phase, followed by 12 weeks continuation phase). The system adjusts difficulty based on performance.
Other Names:
  • Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline in composite cognitive Z-score at week 24
Time Frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
The composite cognitive Z-score is derived from five cognitive domains: memory, executive function, visuospatial ability, attention, and language. Each individual test score is first standardized to a Z-score using normative mean and SD, with direction aligned so that higher scores indicate better function (reaction times are reverse-coded). Domain Z-scores are the equally weighted average of the prespecified core tests within each domain. The overall composite Z-score is the equally weighted average of the five domain Z-scores. The outcome is the change from baseline to week 24, with positive values indicating improvement.
Baseline to 24 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline in composite cognitive score at week 12
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Same composite Z-score as primary outcome, derived from memory, executive, visuospatial, attention, and language domains. Outcome is change from baseline to week 12.
Baseline to 12 weeks
Change from baseline in five cognitive domain Z-scores at week 12 and week 24
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 weeks and Baseline to 24 weeks
Domain-specific Z-scores for memory, executive function, visuospatial ability, attention, and language. Each domain Z-score is the equally weighted average of prespecified core tests within that domain. Outcome is change from baseline at week 12 and week 24.
Baseline to 12 weeks and Baseline to 24 weeks
Change from baseline in plaque burden at the most stenotic site at week 24
Time Frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
Plaque burden measured by high-resolution MRI (HRMRI) at the most stenotic intracranial artery site. Plaque burden = (vessel wall area - lumen area)/vessel wall area × 100%. Outcome is change from baseline to week 24.
Baseline to 24 weeks
Change from baseline in MoCA total score at week 12 and week 24
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 weeks and Baseline to 24 weeks
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total score. The MoCA scale ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. Outcome is change from baseline at week 12 and week 24.
Baseline to 12 weeks and Baseline to 24 weeks
Change from baseline in whole-brain atherosclerotic burden at week 24
Time Frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
Whole-brain atherosclerotic burden is assessed by TOF-MRA, summing stenosis scores (0, 1, 2, 3, 4) across 11 intracranial arterial segments (range 0-44, higher indicates greater burden). Outcome is change from baseline to week 24.
Baseline to 24 weeks
Change from baseline in serum LDL-C at week 12 and week 24
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 weeks and Baseline to 24 weeks
Serum LDL-C levels. Outcome is change from baseline at week 12 and week 24. Higher values indicate worse lipid control.
Baseline to 12 weeks and Baseline to 24 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline in vascular stenosis severity at week 24
Time Frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
Intracranial arterial stenosis severity assessed by TOF-MRA. Outcome is change from baseline to week 24.
Baseline to 24 weeks
Change from baseline in brain structure and function at week 24
Time Frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
Brain structure (DTI, 3D T1WI) and function (resting-state fMRI) changes. Outcome is change from baseline to week 24.
Baseline to 24 weeks
Change from baseline in other lipid parameters at week 24
Time Frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
Other lipid parameters including TC, non-HDL-C, Lp(a), TG, and HDL-C. Outcome is change from baseline to week 24.
Baseline to 24 weeks
Change from baseline in plasma biomarkers at week 24
Time Frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
Plasma biomarkers including Aβ42/Aβ40, p-tau217, NfL, and GFAP. Outcome is change from baseline to week 24.
Baseline to 24 weeks
Interaction between digital cognitive training and PCSK9 inhibitor-enhanced lipid-lowering at week 24
Time Frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
Test for interaction between the two interventions on composite cognitive Z-score at week 24.
Baseline to 24 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

September 17, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 30, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 31, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 17, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 17, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 15, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 10, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • K10526

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

No plan to share IPD due to absence of consent for data sharing and institutional policies protecting participant confidentiality.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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