LACunar Intervention trial - Cognition 1 (LACI-Cog1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
LACunar Intervention trial – Cognition 1 (LACI-Cog1): a feasibility study of cilostazol and isosorbide mononitrate in vascular cognitive impairment
IRAS ID
1012714
Contact name
Joanna Wardlaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN84539143
Research summary
Memory and thinking problems (also called cognitive impairment) can be caused by damage to the small blood vessels in the brain – a condition known as small vessel disease (SVD). When these vessels don’t function properly, they fail to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to brain tissue. SVD may be responsible for up to 45% of all cases of dementia.
There are no effective treatments to improve the function of these small blood vessels or to address the memory and thinking problems caused by SVD. As a result, brain damage can continue to accumulate over time.
We have identified two drugs that may help protect the small vessels in the brain, potentially reducing the risk of stroke and memory or thinking problems caused by small vessel disease.
One of the drugs, cilostazol, is commonly used in the UK to treat poor blood circulation in the legs. The other, isosorbide mononitrate, is widely used in the UK and worldwide to treat angina, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
The trial will be conducted at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in Scotland, sponsored by the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian ACCORD Office, and is funded by Race Against Dementia. We will recruit 60 participants aged 50 or over, with memory or thinking problems related to SVD. Our aim is to find out whether these medications, on their own or in combination, are well tolerated, and whether they might improve cognitive function.
Participants who are eligible and provide consent will be randomized to receive one, both, or neither of the trial drugs. They will be followed-up either in-person or by phone at 1, 3, 8, and 10 weeks, when we will collect information about their health, cognitive and physical function, quality of life, blood pressure, and (optional) brain and eye vessel function.
The results of the LACI-Cog1 study may inform future NHS care for people affected by SVD-related cognitive problems and may help prevent dementia before symptoms develop.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
26/ES/0010
Date of REC Opinion
23 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion