Hope on the horizon in Alzheimer's fight as new drugs trialled

Over 138 treatments trialled as focus shifts towards prevention

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Dementia experts have said that "hope is on the horizon" after a new review shows a rise in the number of potential drugs that could treat or prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Some 138 treatments are being assessed in clinical trials.

A third of drugs currently being trialled are "repurposed" medications that are already being used to tackle other diseases, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cholesterol, according to the new review.

One such trial is assessing whether semaglutide, the main ingredient for the weight loss and diabetes drug Ozempic and weight loss drug Wegovy, can slow the progression of dementia.

And four late-stage trials are looking at preventing disease.

Experts said that drugs targeting amyloid protein build up in the brain, such as lecanemab and donanemab, are "only one part of the overall strategy" as they expressed excitement over the variety of new drugs, which are being tested among patients.

The new review of Alzheimer's disease in clinical trials in 2025 found 182 clinical trials assessing the impact of 138 drugs.

The number of trials represents an 11 per cent increase on the previous year, according to the review, which was led by an expert from the University of Nevada in the US and has been published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions.

Commenting on the paper, Dr Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "This year has really given us real cause for optimism."