On behalf of the MND-SMART team, we are writing to provide an update on the trial. MND-SMART is an adaptive trial – which means we can test many drugs that may slow the progression of motor neuron disease (MND), efficiently and definitively. It also means we can stop testing drugs that are highly unlikely to be effective according to emerging results.
Since the trial launched in 2020, we have opened 22 sites across all 4 UK nations, randomised nearly 900 people living with MND and definitively tested the first 2 drugs, memantine and trazodone.
The stage 1 interim analysis for amantadine, the 3rd drug being tested in the MND-SMART platform, has now been completed. Independent trial committees have decided that we should continue testing amantadine.
The committees commended sites on the number of participants involved in the study and the high rate of data completeness provided.
I am a trial participant, what should I do now?
All participants should carry on taking their study drug, as advised by their local research teams, and keep attending trial appointments so that we can continue collecting data to determine whether amantadine slows down MND progression, as outlined in the participant information sheet. If you have any questions, please get in touch with your local research team who will be happy to help.
The entire MND-SMART team also want to express our sincere thanks to all participants (and their support networks), for continuing to contribute to the trial. We acknowledge the significant commitment you have made.
The knowledge gained through your participation - every trial assessment, blood sample, and diary entry completed - is making a difference.
We remain committed to working alongside people living with MND, to continue testing drugs that we hope will improve outcomes for people living with MND.
MND-SMART is led by the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research