Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has this week become the first site in the UK and Europe and the third in the world to offer adults a groundbreaking Alzheimer’s drug that could stop the disease before symptoms appear.
The phase III PrevenTRON study will investigate whether the new drug, Trontinemab can help delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s. It will be trialled by people at high risk of developing the disease, before memory and thinking problems begin.
The launch coincides with World Alzheimer’s Month. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, making up 60-80% of one million dementia cases in the UK.
About 1600 healthy adults aged 55-80 who have no symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or memory problems will be recruited at research sites around the world. Surrey and Borders Partnership is the lead recruitment site in the UK and can recruit participants from anywhere in the country.
How the Alzheimer's drug works
Trontinemab works by removing amyloid plaques that build up in the brain and are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Blood tests will be used as part of the screening process to identify people who are most likely to benefit from participating in the trial.
Leading Alzheimer's research
Surrey and Borders Partnership was the top-recruiter in England for dementia studies in 2026.
Professor Ramin Nilforooshan, Consultant psychiatrist and Chief Investigator for PrevenTRON,said: “Being the first site across Europe and the third in the world to open PrevenTRON is a proud moment for our Research and Development team and for the communities we serve.
“For decades, research has focused on treating Alzheimer’s disease after symptoms appear. PrevenTRON addresses a different question, whether we can act earlier, before symptoms begin. Through research and trials like PrevenTRON, we are very excited for the potential to help millions of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease.”
PrevenTRON is sponsored by pharmaceutical company Roche.
About Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer’s affects around 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 and 1 in 6 people over the age of 80.
How to find out more about the study
People interested in finding out more about the study should contact our Research and Development team at research@sabp.nhs.uk or by calling 01372 216584.