DLB and PDD are complex illnesses with a wide range of symptoms, which vary from person to person. Cholinesterase Inhibitors (such as donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine) can help people with DLB/PDD by improving day to day functioning and thinking abilities.

Another drug which might help is Memantine. Memantine is a prescription drug used together with Cholinesterase Inhibitors to treat moderate to severe confusion in Alzheimer’s disease and may help to improve memory, awareness and the ability to perform daily functions. At the moment it is not clear if taking Memantine at the same time as a cholinesterase inhibitor will help people with DLB/PDD.

COBALT aims to find out if adding Memantine to a cholinesterase improves overall health and functioning for people with DLB or PDD.

The trial is sponsored by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and funded by the  Health Technology Assessment | NIHR   The HTA programme funds research about the clinical and cost effectiveness, and the broader impact of healthcare treatments for those who plan, provide and receive care from the NHS, and social care services.

Preparation for the trial began in 2021 and we will recruit participants from 2022 to 2024

The trial is managed by Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, a fully registered UK Clinical Research Collective UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit.

A similar study will also be taking place in Australia and at the end of both studies the findings will be shared to help understand whether Memantine treatment when added to a cholinesterase inhibitor help people with DLB or PDD is helpful.