# Continuous non-invasive assessment of blood pressure profile in persons with Alzheimer's and its related dementias

> **NIH NIH R44** · DYNOCARDIA, INC. · 2022 · $153,969

## Abstract

Abstract: The current standard-of-care for measurement of BP monitoring is the periodic use of occlusive arm-
cuff devices. However, its utility is compromised by two critical limitations to measuring an individual’s true BP:
1) overall measurement inaccuracy and 2) inability to measure BP continuously. These limitations underscore a
critical unmet need for accurate, continuous, non-invasive blood pressure (cNIBP) monitoring that can be used
for management of hypertension (HTN) and other chronic diseases. To address this need, we have developed
ViTrack™, a cuffless, wrist-wearable device that uses a fundamentally new method to accurately and non-
invasively measure BP continuously. ViTrack’s beat-to-beat continuous measurements accurately provides
patient’s true BP, including daytime and nighttime BP, circadian BP patterns, and BP variability (BPV). ViTrack
also measures heart rate, respiratory rate, and wrist actigraphy to assess activity/sleep patterns. In Direct-to-
Phase-II study [Grant#:1R44 HL158374-01] we are assessing BP parameters in a wide range of patients.
ViTrack will address the need for accurate and continuous BP monitoring to prevent disabilities in
persons with Alzheimer’s disease and its related dementias: HTN is the most common co-morbidity in
persons with Alzheimer’s disease and its related dementias [1]. Effective HTN therapy offers the chance to
reducing disability from cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events [2]. However, optimal management of HTN in
people with dementia is hampered by the current dependence on periodic blood BP monitoring using occlusive
arm-cuff devices [2]. Persons with dementia often have sleep disturbances and behavioral issues, in addition to
autonomic dysfunction, which can significantly affect BP hemodynamics. These are almost never detected by
random solitary measurements in the clinical setting [3,4,5]. Adding another challenge, dementia patients with
poorer cognitive ability and behavioral issues do not tolerate frequent BP measurements [6]. HTN drug treatment
tailored to circadian BP profile is critical to avoid orthostatic hypotension and/or hypotension, which can lead to
weakness, contribute to falls and further cognitive decline [7,8,9,10]. Furthermore, the co-occurrence of
behavioral events and BP changes in people with dementia is well recognized and perhaps modifications in BP
could prevent or temper their agitation or aggression [11]. Thus, the development of rational therapeutic
strategies to modulate BP and reduce disability in those with Alzheimer’s disease and its related dementias is
dependent upon accurately assessing and characterizing their BP profile. ViTrack enables nonintrusive gathering
of a patient’s beat-to-beat 24-h BP profile, both accurately and reliably, for the first time.
ViTrack can address the need for accurate, continuous, and ubiquitous BP measurements for
Alzheimer’s disease and vascular cognitive impairment–dementia prevention: Almost 40% of the US adult
populat...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10499542
- **Project number:** 3R44HL158374-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** DYNOCARDIA, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Mohan Thanikachalam
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $153,969
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-06-15 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10499542

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10499542, Continuous non-invasive assessment of blood pressure profile in persons with Alzheimer's and its related dementias (3R44HL158374-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10499542. Licensed CC0.

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