Clinical trial Recruiting at 22 sites Phase2; Phase3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Testing drugs to slow down motor neurone disease progression

Official title: Motor Neurone Disease - Systematic Multi-Arm Adaptive Randomised Trial

Run by University of Edinburgh · NCT04302870 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if the drug amantadine can help slow down motor neurone disease and improve survival for people living with it.

Quick facts

PhasePhase2; Phase3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment1150 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Edinburgh
Academic / other
Locations22 sites (Portadown, County Armagh and 21 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 27, 2020
Main results expectedDecember 2030
Study endsDecember 2030
Registry record updatedMarch 4, 2026
Trial IDNCT04302870 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include adults over 18 with a confirmed diagnosis of motor neurone disease, including various subtypes like ALS.

Probably not a fit

Patients diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia or significant psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

MND-SMART is a multi-arm adaptive trial investigating the effectiveness of various approved drugs, including amantadine, in slowing the progression of motor neurone disease (MND) and improving survival rates. The trial employs an adaptive design, allowing for the removal of ineffective treatments and the addition of new ones based on emerging results. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the drug or a placebo, with the current focus on evaluating amantadine against a placebo. This approach aims to optimize treatment options for patients with MND.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this trial could lead to improved treatment options that slow disease progression and enhance survival for patients with motor neurone disease.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown varying success with similar adaptive trial designs, but the specific approach of MND-SMART is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Participants will be considered eligible for randomisation if they fulfil all the core inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria as defined below. In addition, investigators must simultaneously check and ensure participants do not meet any of the drug specific exclusion criteria. If exclusion criteria are met for an arm, participants can still be considered for other arms and randomised accordingly to eligible arms.

Core inclusion criteria:

* Confirmed diagnosis of MND. This includes the following subtypes: ALS by El Escorial Criteria (possible, probable, and definite) or Gold Coast Criteria, Primary Lateral Sclerosis, and Progressive Muscular Atrophy
* Over 18
* Women of childbearing potential according to CTFG guidelines must have a negative pregnancy test within 7 days prior to, or at, the baseline visit
* Women of childbearing potential and fertile men must be using an appropriate method of contraception to avoid any unlikely teratogenic effects of the selected drugs from time of consent, to 4 weeks after treatment inclusive
* Willing and able to comply with the trial protocol and ability to understand and complete questionnaires
* Written informed consent (in the case of limb dysfunction verbal consent can be given in the presence of a witness who can sign)

Core Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD-MND) or any other significant psychiatric disorder that prevents informed consent being given.
* Alcoholism (current self-reported - at the investigator's discretion)
* Active suicide ideation assessed using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale
* On concurrent investigational devices and medication (including biological therapy)
* Pregnancy or breast-feeding females
* If ALT, ALP, bilirubin or GGT \>3 times the upper limit of normal.
* If creatinine clearance (creatinine clearance or eGFR) \<35 ml/min.
* If TSH \<0.2mU/l (if possible to test free T4, then Serum free T4 \>25pmol/l)
* If corrected QT interval on 12 lead ECG \>500 ms
* Patient's diagnosed with ventricular arrhythmias, significant heart block (at the investigator's discretion)) or in the immediate recovery period after myocardial infarction (\< 6 weeks).
* Patients who the PI considers will not be able to comply with the study protocol.

Amantadine Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients in the manic phase of bipolar disorder.
* Patients with history of proven peptic ulcer confirmed on endoscopy
* Patients with active epilepsy
* Already taking the IMP in this comparison
* Known hypersensitivity, including hereditary fructose intolerance, or adverse reaction to the active substances and their excipients (as per SPCs for this comparison) or any past medical history contraindicating use of the IMP in this comparison

Tacrolimus Exclusion Criteria:

* Poorly controlled hypertension (Systolic BP\>180 mmHg or Diastolic BP\>100mmHg)
* Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c\>6.4% or 48mmol/mol)
* Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or history of QT prolongation (including family history), congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, and electrolyte abnormalities
* History of bleeding disorders or significant haematological or immune diseases including, congenital or acquired immune deficiency, anaemia (Hb\<130g/L for males and Hb\<120 g/L in females) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count \<150 × 109/L), use of other biological agents and immunosuppressant medications including oral/IV steroids
* Active or chronic infection (at PI discretion)
* History of Hepatitis B or C
* History of lymphoma and active malignancy
* Risk of dehydration due to reduced oral intake and lack of parenteral route
* Patient's contraindicated to tacrolimus according to SPC section 4.3
* Use of concomitant medications that interacts with tacrolimus according to the SPC, including but not limited to strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (i.e. azoles, protease inhibitors) or CYP3A4 inducers (rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine), barbiturates, macrolides, digoxin, statins, PPI inhibitors, ergotamine, tricyclic antidepressants, herbal supplements (St. John's wort, extracts of Schisandra sphenanthera)
* Inability to swallow capsules
* Already taking the IMP in this comparison
* Known hypersensitivity, including lactose and gelatin intolerance, or adverse reaction to the active substances and their excipients (as per SPCs for this comparison) or any past medical history contraindicating use of the IMP in this comparison
* Receipt of a live attenuated vaccine within four weeks prior to receipt of tacrolimus. These include, but are not limited to live influenza vaccine (Fluenz Tetra), Shingles (varicella zoster virus) Zostavax, Varicella (Varilrix, Varilvax), Oral typhoid (Ty21a), and yellow fever vaccines.

Where it's running

  • Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Craigavon Area Hospital
    Portadown, County Armagh, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
    Aberdeen, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
    Birmingham, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
    Brighton, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
    Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Cambridge, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
Show 16 more locations
  • Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board
    Cardiff, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Clinical Research Centre , Ninewells Hospital
    Dundee, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
    Exeter, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Clinical Research Facility
    Glasgow, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • NHS Highland Clinical Research Facility, Raigmore Hospital
    Inverness, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
    Ipswich, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal London Hospital
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Norwich, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • University Hospitals of Dorset NHS Trust
    Poole, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Clinical Research Facility Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
    Salford, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Sheffield, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Clinical Research Facility University Hospital Southampton
    Southampton, United Kingdom
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.