AD-SMART 2026: Diabetes and ADHD Drugs Trial
The AD-SMART clinical trial in the UK is testing metformin and atomoxetine on 1,200 Alzheimer's patients, aiming to evaluate initial results by 2030.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- UK AD-SMART trial tests diabetes and ADHD drugs on Alzheimer's patients
- Platform design allows simultaneous testing and higher active treatment odds
- Targets 1,200 participants across 30+ sites with first evaluations expected by 2030
Medical researchers in the United Kingdom have launched a major clinical trial named AD-SMART to investigate whether repurposed medications originally used for type 2 diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can help alleviate Alzheimer's symptoms. The study will examine if these compounds can reduce memory and thinking difficulties while helping individuals preserve their overall quality of life.
Angela Bucksey, a 67-year-old resident from Cambridgeshire who received an Alzheimer's diagnosis in January, became the first participant to undergo treatment in the trial. She shared that since her mother and aunts had experienced the condition, receiving the diagnosis brought disappointment rather than shock because she understood how it would limit her daily routine. She added that joining the study provided a sense of empowerment because taking part means actively doing something about it.
The AD-SMART study utilizes a multi-arm, multi-stage platform trial design, allowing multiple treatments to be evaluated simultaneously while comparing results against a single control group receiving a placebo. This structure grants participants a higher probability of receiving an active therapeutic drug compared to traditional trial formats. If any medication fails to demonstrate clear benefits, it can be promptly dropped and replaced with a new candidate—an approach previously proven successful in cancer and motor neurone disease research.
"Joining the trial has brought us back from the despair of a diagnosis which everybody recognises is non-recoverable."
Steve Bucksey, study partner and husband
The initial two drugs selected for testing by an international panel of experts are metformin, commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes, and atomoxetine for ADHD. Professor Paresh Malhotra, chief investigator and group leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute Centre for Care Research and Technology at Imperial College London, explained that both substances might help suppress brain inflammation, a key driver of neurodegeneration. For the trial to succeed, it must demonstrate positive therapeutic effects on cognitive functions and the execution of everyday activities.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Context Note: Drug repurposing serves as an essential strategy in neurological research, significantly reducing development timelines and safety trial hurdles since these medications have already cleared initial human safety evaluations. Applying existing pharmaceuticals to Alzheimer's disease—a condition currently lacking a cure—represents a vital pursuit for researchers worldwide seeking faster therapeutic breakthroughs.
The study aims to recruit approximately 1,200 participants suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer's across more than 30 clinical sites throughout the United Kingdom. Locations in Cambridgeshire, Surrey, London, Southampton, and Edinburgh are already active and accepting volunteers. Scientists anticipate completing the evaluation of the initial drug set by 2030, with additional treatments likely to be integrated along the way. All participants will undergo routine health assessments, including cognitive evaluations, to measure treatment efficacy.
The trial is spearheaded by the UK Dementia Research Institute and Alzheimer's Research UK, with collaborative partners including the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Medical Research Council, and Health Data Research UK, backed by government funding.
Source: BBC Health
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment