Clinical trials
The Clinical Trials Team is led by Prof Cath Mummery and runs a number of clinical trials.
These treatment trials are vitally important to allow us to develop and test medicines that may slow the progression of diseases causing dementia, or even prevent the onset of symptoms. Most clinical trials involve regular visits to our centre to measure the safety and effects of the drug over time.
Why do we do clinical trials?
- To test whether a new drug can slow disease progression and have beneficial effects on symptoms of dementia
- To monitor safety and any potential side-effects
- To assess the effects of a new drug on other indicators of disease progression e.g. levels of amyloid or tau in the brain
- Most studies are “randomised placebo-controlled trials”: participants are randomly assigned to one of two main groups: active drug administration or placebo (no active drug) administration. Neither the participant nor the study team will know which group they have been assigned to during the trial.
- Most of our drugs (or placebos) are administered via intravenous infusion or intrathecally (via lumbar puncture).
Lead
Catherine Mummery, Professor of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Head of Clinical Trials, Dementia Research Centre, Director, NIHR UK Dementia Trials Network
Clinical Staff
- Nadia Magdalinou, Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Principal Investigator
- Thomas Noteman, Clinical Research Fellow and Sub-Investigator
- Martina Salzillo, Clinical Research Fellow and Sub-Investigator
- Aram Aslanyan, Clinical Research Fellow
Professional Services and Managerial Staff
- Lisa French, Senior Trials Manager, Neurogenetic Therapies Programme
- Sittana Abdelmagid, Alzheimer’s Society UK DTN Lead Research Nurse
- Jung Ryu, Research CNS Cognitive Disorders
- Johanna Brandt, Clinical Trials Coordinator and Rater
- Lauren Devaney, Clinical Trials Administrator and Rater
- Amara Jonathan, Data Manager
- Arpita Raval, Data Manager
- Mobeen Fazal, Senior Clinical Trials Coordinator
- Lucianne Dobson, Senior Clinical Trials Recruitment Coordinator
- Floey Urban, Trials Recruitment Coordinator and Senior Research Practitioner
What do trials involve?
Most clinical trials involve a number of visits to our clinic to measure the safety and effects of the drug over time.
The studies can last from six months to five years. In addition, some studies then ‘extend’ to an ‘open-label’ period, where all participants are offered the opportunity to take the active drug (i.e. there are no placebos) for a further period of time.
Before you enter the trial, there may be screening phone calls and visits to ascertain whether you fulfil all the criteria required for the study. The number of overall visits and the flexibility of timings will often depend on the particular study: most trials have specific time windows that determine when certain visits take place. At a minimum, all trials will involve answering questions about your memory and thinking, as well as a clinical examination with a doctor. Additional tests may include blood tests, MRI brain scans, PET brain scans and lumbar punctures. Many trials require you to bring a study partner with you – this should be a person who knows you well, and who may be asked questions about your general health, memory and thinking.
Travel, costs and accommodation
As a participant in a clinical trial, you may be asked to make a number of visits to our research facilities in Queen Square and sometimes other locations in London. During that time, you will see several research staff on a prearranged schedule, with plenty of time for breaks. The Dementia Research Centre would pay for, and/or book your travel (and travel for the person accompanying you), and reimburse you for the cost of meals and refreshments during your visit. Some trials may require you to attend the Dementia Research Centre for two consecutive days. In this case, we would make arrangements for you and the person accompanying you to stay in a nearby hotel if this is more convenient for you; the costs of the hotel stay would be covered.
How do I take part in clinical trials?
If you would like more information about taking part in our clinical trials, please email drctrialenquiries@ucl.ac.uk. If you are unable to contact us by email, you can also call our team during office hours (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) on 020 3448 3105.
The DRC also actively supports Join Dementia Research which matches participants to appropriate research studies throughout the UK.
Please click here to see our ongoing clinical trials or download our clinical trials brochure to learn more:
Get involved
If you are interested in participating in our clinical trials or other research, please email our recruitment team at drctrialenquiries@ucl.ac.uk. If you are unable to contact us by email, you can also call us during office hours (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) on 020 3448 3105 and speak to a member of our team.