Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have enrolled their first participants in a major UK trial for Alzheimer’s treatments.
The study, supported by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT), is part of the AD-SMART trial—a national effort to accelerate the search for effective therapies.
Dr Ben Underwood, director of research and development at CPFT and the trial’s local principal investigator, said: "We are delighted to welcome Angela and Steve to join the trial with us at CPFT and hope this research will directly benefit them and countless others living with Alzheimer’s disease.
"Our research would not be possible without people like them coming forward to help us.
"We will support them throughout their research journey and hope that many others will join to help test promising dementia treatments and ensure the most successful ones can be brought to NHS clinics as soon as possible."
The AD-SMART trial is the first of its kind to test multiple drugs at the same time, beginning with two medicines already used to treat type 2 diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Angela and Steve Bucksey, residents from Cambridgeshire who joined the study, said: "Following Angela’s diagnosis, we decided to take part in a study at a local friendly research unit without having to travel into London, and it feels good to be doing something about it."
The trial will involve up to 20 NHS sites over the next 12 to 18 months, with more than 30 planned in total.
Researchers aim to recruit 1,200 participants across the UK.
Researchers expect to finish evaluating the first drugs in 2030.
Individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s who wish to take part can contact the CPFT Research team at RandD@cpft.nhs.uk or call 01223 219753.
For more information on dementia research and other clinical trial opportunities, visit Join Dementia Research.
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