World-Leading Alzheimer's Trial to Test ADHD Drugs and Metformin

Hundreds of Alzheimer's patients are set to participate in a groundbreaking trial in the UK, testing existing medications like ADHD drug atomoxetine and type 2 diabetes drug metformin for their potential to combat dementia symptoms. The Ad-Smart trial is designed to significantly speed up the evaluation of new treatments, with experts anticipating it could more than halve the time and cost associated with traditional drug testing.

The trial will simultaneously assess multiple drugs, comparing them against a shared placebo group. This approach allows for faster identification of effective treatments and quicker discontinuation of those that show no promise. Existing drugs for various conditions, as well as novel Alzheimer's treatments, can be added to the trial as they become available.

Professor Paresh Malhotra, the chief investigator from the UK Dementia Research Institute, highlighted the inefficiency of past trial designs, which often took a decade or more to yield results. "For too long, Alzheimer's research has moved at the pace of one drug, one trial, one answer," Professor Malhotra stated. "We are applying advances from cancer and other conditions to accelerate testing of treatments for people with Alzheimer's disease."

Early evidence suggests atomoxetine may impact the processes contributing to Alzheimer's degeneration, while metformin has also shown promise in certain pathways. Researchers aim to explore the multiple mechanisms involved in Alzheimer's disease, theorizing that a combination of drugs targeting different pathways could be more effective, similar to how some cancers are treated.

Andy Burnham, whose father recently died from dementia, expressed his support for the trial, emphasizing the need for faster breakthroughs. "I know how it feels to lose a loved one to dementia and have seen first-hand the devastating impact this illness has on families," Burnham said. "That's why I'm proud to see this trial being launched in the UK, so that cutting-edge treatments can reach patients here as soon as possible."

The trial aims to recruit up to 1,200 participants across approximately 20 NHS sites, with initial results anticipated by 2030. Patients interested in joining the trial can register their interest via the Join Dementia Research website.

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, affects around 600,000 people in the UK and is the nation's leading cause of death, claiming approximately 76,000 lives annually. The Daily Mail and Alzheimer's Society have partnered in a campaign to defeat dementia, focusing on increasing early diagnosis, boosting research, and improving care.