Publication of MND-SMART results in The Lancet Neurology

We welcome the timely publication of the MND-SMART trial results on memantine and trazodone in The Lancet Neurology. 

It was confirmed last September, that there was no benefit from the first two drugs in the trial and that enough evidence was gathered to stop testing them. While it is disappointing that the data shows memantine and trazodone have no benefit for people with motor neuron disease (MND), it is a positive outcome that the trial has provided a definitive outcome and that the results have been published quickly. 

Please visit the MND-SMART website to read their statement in full. 

The multi-arm infrastructure of MND-SMART means multiple drugs can be tested simultaneously. The trial started testing a third drug, amantadine, in April 2023 with the introduction of a further drug imminent.  

MND-SMART is based at the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research at the University of Edinburgh. The trial is open to people living with MND across 23 UK sites. MND-SMART strives to ensure equitable access to a clinical trial for people with MND and since it launched in 2020 has recruited over 850 participants.  

We are incredibly proud to have worked with the MND-SMART team and wider MND community to create lasting MND clinical trial infrastructure for the UK’s biggest ever MND clinical drug trial.   

We would like to thank everyone who has participated in the MND-SMART trial so far; taking part in clinical trials is vital to help us find effective treatments and a cure.