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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2 / Phase 3INTERVENTIONAL

Motor Neurone Disease - Systematic Multi-Arm Adaptive Randomised Trial

Motor Neurone Disease - Systematic Multi-Arm Adaptive Randomised Trial (NCT04302870) is a Phase 2 / Phase 3 interventional studying Motor Neuron Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, sponsored by University of Edinburgh. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

MND-SMART is investigating whether selected drugs can slow down the progression of motor neuron disease (MND) and improve survival. The study is 'multi-arm' meaning more than one treatment will be tested at the same time. The trial started with 3 arms; drug 1 (memantine), drug 2 (trazodone) and placebo (dummy drug). A third drug, amantadine, was added in April 2023. A fourth drug, tacrolimus, was added in March 2025 in Edinburgh and across all sites in April 2025. The first two drugs, memantine and trazodone, were removed from the trial in September 2023 due to lack of benefit. The trial currently has 4 recruiting arms; amantadine, liquid placebo (matched to amantadine), tacrolimus, and tablet placebo (matched to tacrolimus). This allows the evaluation of each drug versus placebo. Participants will be randomly allocated between the treatment arms they are eligible for. Medicines being tested are already approved for use in other conditions. MND-SMART has an 'adaptive' design. This means medicines being studied can change according to emerging results. Treatments shown to be ineffective can be dropped and new drugs can be added over the duration of the study. This will allow many treatments, over time, to be efficiently and definitively evaluated. The medicines being tested have been selected following a rigorous process involving a systematic, unbiased, and comprehensive review of past clinical trials data, as well as information from pre-clinical research (studies in laboratories), for MND and other related neurodegenerative disorders. Drugs have been ranked for inclusion in MND-SMART by a group of independent MND experts according to set criteria. These include consideration of how the drugs work, their safety profiles, and the quality of previous studies. New drugs will be selected for investigation in MND-SMART based on continuous review of constantly updated scientific evidence as well as findings from state-of-the-art human stem cell based drug discovery platforms. These can be added by substantial amendment to the protocol.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Motor Neuron Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

A target enrollment of 1,150 participants makes this a sizable late-stage trial. Studies in this range typically have enough power to detect clinically meaningful differences from a comparator and to characterize less-common side effects.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

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 Who May Qualify: - 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 willing to sign a consent form (in the case of limb dysfunction verbal consent can be given in the presence of a witness who can sign) Core Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Patients diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD-MND) or any other significant psychiatric disorder that prevents willing to sign a consent form 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. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
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.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Memantine Hydrochloride Oral Solution

Memantine hydrocholoride taken once daily

DRUG

Trazodone Hydrochloride oral solution

Trazodone Hydrochloride taken once daily

DRUG

Placebo oral solution

Placebo taken once daily

DRUG

Amantadine Hydrochloride Oral Solution

Amantadine Hydrochloride taken once daily

DRUG

Tacrolimus 1Mg Cap

Tacrolimus 1Mg overencapsulated tablet taken once daily

DRUG

Placebo capsule

Placebo taken once daily

Locations (20)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

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

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT04302870), the sponsor (University of Edinburgh), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT04302870 clinical trial studying?

MND-SMART is investigating whether selected drugs can slow down the progression of motor neuron disease (MND) and improve survival. The study is 'multi-arm' meaning more than one treatment will be tested at the same time. The trial started with 3 arms; drug 1 (memantine), drug 2 (trazodone) and placebo (dummy drug). A third drug, amantadine, was added in April 2023. A fourth drug, tacrolimus, was added in March 2025 in Edinburgh and across all sites in April 2025. The first two drugs, memantine and trazodone, were removed from the trial in September 2023 due to lack of benefit. The trial curr… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT04302870?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT04302870?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT04302870. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT04302870. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.