An NHS trust says it has become the first in Europe to join a trial examining if a new drug can delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.<\/p>\n
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is offering the drug Trontinemab to people at high risk of developing the disease and is the third site worldwide to do so.<\/p>\n
The clinical trial is recruiting 1,600 healthy adults aged 55 to 80 internationally, with the Surrey and north east Hampshire trust recruit participants from anywhere in the UK.<\/p>\n
Alzheimer’s disease, external<\/a> is the most common form of dementia and accounts for 60% to 80% of the country’s dementia cases, according to the NHS.<\/p>\n The progressive condition affects multiple brain functions. Symptoms typically develop gradually over many years and eventually become more severe.<\/p>\n The new drug attacks a sticky gunk called beta amyloid that builds up in the spaces between brain cells in Alzheimer’s disease.<\/p>\n Researchers will use blood tests to identify people who are most likely to benefit from participating in the trial, the trust said.<\/p>\n Prof Ramin Nilforooshan, consultant psychiatrist and chief investigator for the trial, said research had “for decades” focused on treating Alzheimer’s after symptoms appeared.<\/p>\n The trial “addresses a different question, whether we can act earlier, before symptoms begin”, he said.<\/p>\n “We are very excited for the potential to help millions of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease.”<\/p>\n An estimated 982,000 people are living with dementia in the UK, according to an Alzheimer’s Society report, external<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, external<\/a>, on X, external<\/a>, and on Instagram, external<\/a> and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds<\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external<\/a> or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/p>\n