--- title: "Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial Launched in the UK" url: https://noti.group/alzheimer-s-disease-clinical-trial-launched-in-the-uk/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Health" published: 2026-10-21T23:02:30.000Z updated: 2026-10-22T01:26:04.187Z id: 76f0d249-b717-499b-9e94-7027de87da53 source: "BBC News Health https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqlye4v721nwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/alzheimer-s-disease-clinical-trial-launched-in-the-uk/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial Launched in the UK A groundbreaking clinical trial has been launched in the UK to test multiple drugs simultaneously for new treatments of Alzheimer's disease. A groundbreaking clinical trial has been launched in the UK to accelerate the search for new treatments for Alzheimer's disease. The study will test multiple drugs simultaneously, initially focusing on two repurposed medicines already used to treat type 2 diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These medications have shown promise in alleviating symptoms such as memory loss and cognitive decline, which are characteristic of Alzheimer's. Researchers hope that by leveraging existing knowledge about these drugs, they can fast-track the development of new treatments. The trial is called AD-SMART, and its first participant is Angela Bucksey from Cambridgeshire, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in January at the age of 67. Angela's family history with Alzheimer's made her diagnosis a personal experience. She has seen firsthand how the disease affects loved ones, including her mother and aunts. Despite this, she remains determined to live as normally as possible and is now taking part in the trial, which offers her the opportunity to contribute to research that may one day help others. Angela's decision to join the trial reflects her desire to take an active role in managing her condition. She believes that participating in the study empowers her to fight back against Alzheimer's, rather than simply accepting its limitations. Alzheimer's is a devastating condition that affects millions worldwide, with around 600,000 people in the UK living with the disease. The impact on families can be severe, with loved ones struggling to cope with the loss of their relatives. The launch of a new trial in the UK aims to bring cutting-edge treatments to patients as soon as possible. This trial is a multi-arm, multi-stage platform study where several treatments are tested simultaneously and compared against one group receiving a placebo or dummy treatment. This innovative approach has been successfully used in cancer and motor neurone disease trials, allowing researchers to quickly identify which treatments show promise and drop those that don't. As a result, participants have a higher chance of being assigned an active treatment rather than a placebo. The two initial drugs being tested are metformin, commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, and atomoxetine, prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These treatments were selected by an international panel of experts based on their potential benefits in treating Alzheimer's. Researchers believe these innovative treatments may help reduce brain inflammation, a key driver of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's patients. According to Prof Paresh Malhotra, chief investigator on the project, this new approach could potentially speed up the discovery of effective treatments. The study is designed to test multiple treatments simultaneously, rather than focusing on one drug at a time. This method, inspired by advances in cancer research and other fields, aims to accelerate the testing process for Alzheimer's patients. By doing so, scientists hope to find solutions more quickly. To achieve this goal, the study will assess whether these new treatments have a positive impact on cognitive function and daily living abilities. This is what matters most to patients and their caregivers, says Prof Malhotra. The team plans to recruit over 1,200 participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer's at multiple locations across the UK. The trial sites are already open in several regions, including Cambridgeshire, Surrey, London, Southampton, and Edinburgh. Once the first treatments have been evaluated, which is expected to be completed by 2030, additional medications may be added to the study. The study will involve regular health checks, including cognitive tests, to assess the effectiveness of the treatments being tested on Alzheimer's patients. These assessments are crucial in understanding how well the medications are working and whether they have any significant side effects. The researchers aim to gather comprehensive data from these tests to inform future treatment options for people living with Alzheimer's disease. The study has already gained interest among those affected by the condition, with some participants reporting a sense of optimism about their situation. By being part of a clinical trial, individuals and their families feel more supported and encouraged in their efforts to manage the disease. With the goal of providing additional treatment options for people living with Alzheimer's, this study marks an important step forward in research into the condition. --- Source: [BBC News Health](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqlye4v721nwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/alzheimer-s-disease-clinical-trial-launched-in-the-uk/