UK trial will test diabetes and ADHD drugs in people with Alzheimer’s

A UK clinical trial called AD-SMART has launched to test treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, BBC News reported. It will initially test metformin, a type 2 diabetes drug, and atomoxetine, an ADHD drug. The researchers aim to assess whether the medicines can ease memory and thinking problems and help participants maintain quality of life. The multi-arm, multi-stage trial will test several treatments at once and compare results with a group taking a placebo, or dummy.

The study plans to recruit 1,200 people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s at more than 30 sites across the UK. BBC News reported that sites in Cambridgeshire, Surrey, London, Southampton and Edinburgh are already open. Participants will have regular health checks, including cognitive tests. Researchers expect to finish evaluating the first drugs in 2030, and say additional treatments are likely to be added during that time.