ADHD and diabetes drugs to be trialled for dementia

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 22, 2026

A UK clinical trial called AD-Smart will test whether the diabetes drug metformin and the ADHD medication atomoxetine can slow dementia progression by comparing their effects against a placebo. This trial uses an innovative, multi-drug testing approach to speed up the discovery of effective dementia treatments and plans to expand as new therapies emerge, aiming to improve care for millions affected by the condition.

A new clinical trial in the United Kingdom will investigate whether drugs commonly prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and type 2 diabetes can slow the progression of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The study, known as AD-Smart, aims to repurpose existing medications in an effort to accelerate the development of effective treatments for dementia.

Led by the UK Dementia Research Institute (UKDRI) and supported by more than 1,200 National Health Service (NHS) patients, the trial will begin by testing the diabetes drug metformin alongside atomoxetine, a medication used to treat ADHD. Participants will be assigned to different groups receiving either one of the drugs or a placebo, allowing researchers to compare outcomes and determine the potential benefits in slowing cognitive decline.

This innovative approach draws on strategies used in cancer research and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, which have demonstrated the value of testing multiple therapies concurrently. By adopting this model, experts hope to reduce the time required to identify effective dementia treatments, which traditionally can take a decade or longer to develop and evaluate.

Professor Paresh Malhotra, chief investigator for AD-Smart and a member of UKDRI at Imperial College London, emphasized the need for a faster, more efficient process in dementia research. He stated that the trial’s design seeks to break from the traditional model of testing one drug at a time and accelerate discovery by applying lessons learned from other medical fields.

The study will also be flexible, with plans to introduce additional drugs, including new therapies specifically developed for Alzheimer’s disease, as they become available. The goal is to ultimately enable wide adoption of any successful treatments across the NHS, improving care for those affected by dementia.

The trial has received backing from government officials, with Alison McGovern, the social care minister, highlighting the UK’s strong scientific heritage and commitment to tackling dementia. “We have a proud tradition in this country of leading the world in science and what better condition to try to lead the world in than dementia,” she said, underlining the government’s determination to expedite access to new medicines for patients.

AD-Smart represents a significant step toward identifying therapies that could slow the progression of dementia, a condition that affects millions worldwide and currently has limited treatment options. The trial is expected to provide valuable insights that may inform future clinical practice and research initiatives.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.