Alzheimer’s Trial to Test ADHD and Diabetes Drugs Simultaneously

A new clinical trial launched in the UK will test existing drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes and ADHD as potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, in an effort to accelerate the search for effective therapies. The AD-SMART study, spearheaded by the UK Dementia Research Institute and Alzheimer’s Research UK, will simultaneously test multiple drugs, beginning with metformin and atomoxetine, comparing their effects against a placebo group. Angela Bucksey, 67, is the first participant in the trial, stating she felt empowered to ‘fight back’ after her diagnosis in January. The multi-arm, multi-stage platform trial design allows for the rapid addition of new treatments and removal of ineffective ones, a method previously successful in cancer and motor neurone disease trials.

Researchers, including chief investigator Prof Paresh Malhotra, believe both drugs may reduce brain inflammation, a key driver of neurodegeneration. The trial aims to assess whether the drugs can lessen symptoms like memory loss and improve quality of life. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, whose father recently died from Alzheimer’s, expressed his support for the initiative, stating it will help deliver ‘cutting-edge treatments’ to patients sooner. The study is expected to involve over 1,000 participants across up to 20 NHS sites over the next 18 months, with initial conclusions anticipated by 2030.

The innovative trial design has the potential to halve the time needed to evaluate Alzheimer’s drugs, moving away from the traditional ‘one drug, one trial’ approach. Experts hope this accelerated testing will lead to more effective treatments for the approximately 600,000 people in the UK affected by Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia. The trial is funded by the Government and other funders.

The success of the drugs will depend on demonstrating beneficial effects on thinking and the ability to function, but the study’s design increases the likelihood of participants receiving an active treatment compared to traditional trials.

Where they differ

• The Independent highlighted that Prime Minister Burnham’s father Roy was living in a care home and unaware of his son’s position before his death, a detail not included in the BBC report.
• The Independent stated the trial is expected to have conclusions by 2030, while the BBC did not provide a specific timeframe for initial results.
• The Independent noted the trial is financially backed by the Government, while the BBC did not explicitly mention government funding.

What is not yet known

• The specific mechanisms by which metformin and atomoxetine might impact Alzheimer’s symptoms remain to be fully understood.
• The long-term effects of these drugs on Alzheimer’s patients are still unknown and will be assessed throughout the trial.

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