§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been recruited to take part in the AD2000 trial based at the Clinical Trials Unit University of Birmingham; what the target number of participants is; and when he expects the trial to be completed. [92434]
§ Mr. HuttonThe AD2000 study opened to recruitment in the West Midlands in October 1998 and the national launch was held in December 1998. As of 21 July, 239 patients had been entered from 20 centres. The target is 3,000 participants. The first results—on the short-term effects of donepezil on behavioural problems, activities of daily living, and well-being of carers—are expected to become available in the year 2000. The AD2000 study is also investigating the longer-term effects of donepezil on disease progress and the cost-effectiveness of donepezil, in particular the need for institutionalisation. Long-term effectiveness results are not expected until after the year 2002 when recruitment should be completed.