Clinical Trial Finder

The Alzheimer’s Society Clinical Trial Finder is a pioneering digital service tackling a stark inequity in dementia research. In 2024/25, just 173 people living with dementia in England were recruited to late-stage trials—9 times fewer than stroke and 25 times fewer than cancer. While public willingness is high, fewer than 3% participate. Historically, access was restricted by clinical gatekeeping and jargon-heavy registries; no accessible, dementia-specific tool existed.

The Clinical Trial Finder dismantles these barriers. For the first time, people affected by dementia and carers can independently discover trials and understand eligibility criteria in plain language.

What makes it truly innovative is its co-design model. A multidisciplinary team of product, design, and research specialists, led by our Lead Research Nurse, paired clinical authority with agile delivery. Developed with the UK Dementia Trials Network, the service moved from concept to live deployment in just five months. Every decision was driven by user research with people living with cognitive impairment, meeting strict WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.

Since launching in March 2026, the service has revolutionized access. Between 1 March and 18 June, 1,918 users accessed the tool, generating 157 email clicks and 95 webform enquiries—turning passive interest into direct routes to trial teams. It has surfaced 7 trials across 7 locations, reducing the geographical "postcode lottery." By democratizing access, the tool accelerates the journey toward life-changing treatments, positioning Alzheimer’s Society at the forefront of digital innovation.