The AD-SMART (Alzheimer’s Disease Systematic Multi-arm Adaptive Randomised Trial) study, a first for the UK in Alzheimer's research, utilises an adaptive multi-arm platform design. This allows for the simultaneous testing of several treatments, enabling quicker identification of the most promising options.
Led by the UK Dementia Research Institute and Alzheimer’s Research UK, the trial integrates expertise from across the UK, including researchers from the University of Oxford and DPUK. By comparing multiple treatments against a shared placebo group, AD-SMART aims to efficiently identify ineffective therapies and introduce new candidate drugs as the trial progresses, potentially halving evaluation time compared to traditional methods.
DPUK is facilitating the trial by leveraging its existing network of sites and Blood Biomarker Challenge READ-OUT study data to aid participant recruitment. Professor Vanessa Raymont, Director of DPUK and co-lead of the trial, highlighted the collaborative and innovative nature of the research, stating it creates a more efficient pathway to deliver answers faster for those affected by Alzheimer's disease.
Initially, the study will evaluate two repurposed medicines already licensed for type 2 diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As these drugs are known to be safe, any identified benefits could reach patients sooner. The trial aims to recruit 1,200 participants across more than 30 planned sites in the UK, including through Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed pride in the trial's launch, emphasising dementia research as a national priority and the UK's ambition to lead in making life-changing breakthroughs. Professor Paresh Malhotra, Chief Investigator, noted the trial's departure from traditional single-drug studies, allowing for rapid stopping of ineffective treatments and introduction of new ones.
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care, welcomed AD-SMART as a ground-breaking trial that will accelerate treatment testing and increase participation in dementia clinical trials. The NIHR has committed ongoing support to the trial.
Individuals with a confirmed Alzheimer's diagnosis interested in participating can register via Join Dementia Research.
