COPD's hidden toll on the brain revealed

NCT ID NCT03269721

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This completed study looked at 170 smokers with COPD to understand how lung damage affects brain structure and thinking skills. Participants took memory and thinking tests, had lung function tests, and underwent brain scans. The goal was to find early clues that could one day lead to treatments to protect the brain.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to
If successful, this research could point toward ways to delay or prevent memory and thinking problems in people with COPD.
What could go wrong
This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It only looks for links between lung health and brain changes, so it won't directly lead to a new therapy.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Iowa

    Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States

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