UK launches Alzheimer's trial testing diabetes, ADHD drugs — SkimNews
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- AD-SMART launched a multi-arm, multi-stage trial in the UK to test repurposed drugs on 1,200 Alzheimer's patients across more than 30 sites, starting with metformin and atomoxetine.
- Angela Bucksey became the first participant in the AD-SMART trial, citing family history of Alzheimer's and a desire to actively fight back rather than be defined by the diagnosis.
- Prof Paresh Malhotra stated the platform trial design allows ineffective drugs to be dropped quickly and new ones added, accelerating research compared to traditional one-drug trials.
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Alzheimer's Research UK are leading the trial, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Medical Research Council, and Health Data Research UK with UK government funding.
- Metformin and atomoxetine were selected by an international expert panel for their potential to reduce brain inflammation, a driver of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed support for the trial, citing personal loss to dementia and emphasizing the need for cutting-edge treatments to reach UK patients quickly.
Why it matters: The platform trial design cuts years off Alzheimer’s drug testing by allowing rapid evaluation and replacement of treatments, which is critical for patients facing a condition with no recovery path and limited current options. With 600,000 affected in the UK, faster iteration could shift how neurodegenerative diseases are researched and treated.
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