“Are there clinical trials available to join now?” New drug research for dementia | Japan

Medical care

編集委員会 / Editorial Office

09/07/2026

Dementia treatment is currently undergoing a major turning point. With the emergence of new medications, the development of new drugs is becoming highly active in Japan. These include research leveraging new scientific findings, approaches different from conventional ones, and studies focused specifically on peripheral symptoms (BPSD).

The “drugs” that result from these advancements are delivered to the people who need them only after undergoing “clinical trials” to verify their safety and efficacy.

Many of these clinical trials are conducted at specific hospitals for limited periods. To obtain this information, individuals interested in trials must proactively look for it themselves. This article explains how to find clinical trial information and introduces currently enrolling clinical trials as examples.

Please view this as one of the options when considering treatment for yourself or your family members.

What is jRCT?

jRCT (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials) is a system for registering and publicizing clinical research and trials conducted in Japan. In addition to trials for new drugs, general research information is also made available to the public on the internet. This website is operated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and registrations are made by individual researchers, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies.

https://jrct.mhlw.go.jp/

How to Search

While there are various ways to search, the easiest method is the “Free Word Search（フリーワード検索）” (keyword search).

Simply enter keywords such as “Dementia（認知症）,” “Alzheimer’s（アルツハイマー）,” or “MCI” into the search field and click the search button below.

Various research information will be displayed. Those marked as “Recruiting” (募集中) are the studies currently active.

By clicking “View” (閲覧), you can see the detailed information.

This allows you to check more comprehensive details.

Other Websites

There is also a clinical trial-focused search site called “smt,” operated by Buzzreach Inc. You can also search this site by entering keywords such as “Dementia,” “Alzheimer’s,” or “MCI.”

https://www.searchmytrial.com/

Clinical Trial Information as of May 2026

Currently, a clinical trial (clinical study) is underway for the development of a new treatment targeting delusions and hallucinations associated with dementia. We provide this information as one of the options for you to consider regarding treatment for yourself or your family.

When considering participation, please thoroughly review the benefits and risks, and make a decision based on the patient’s own explicit will.

This clinical trial information is shared to provide everyone with the latest research that has the potential to contribute to medical progress. Please read and understand the following points before utilizing this information:

- It is in the “Research” stage: Because these are treatments currently under development, there may be unknown side effects and risks in addition to the expected benefits.
- Regarding eligibility criteria: To ensure safety and scientific accuracy, clinical trials and studies have extremely strict participation criteria (such as age, severity of symptoms, and prior treatment history). Therefore, even with the same diagnosis, not everyone will be able to participate. Please understand in advance that you may not meet the requirements.
- Regarding group assignment (allocation): Depending on the study design, participants may be divided into multiple groups to objectively compare the effectiveness of the drug. Therefore, even if you participate in the trial, you are not guaranteed to be placed in the group that receives the new candidate drug (investigational product). (There is a possibility of being assigned to a group receiving existing standard care or a placebo).
- Participation is voluntary: Joining a clinical trial or clinical study is entirely based on the patient’s own free will. Refusing to participate will absolutely not result in any disadvantage in subsequent treatments.
- Consulting your primary care physician is recommended: Please be sure to thoroughly discuss with your primary care physician whether this fits your current medical condition and treatment history, as well as the pros and cons of participating.
- Limitations on explanations by this website: Since this website is not the entity conducting the trials nor a specialized medical institution, we cannot provide specific explanations regarding individual trial contents or suitability. For detailed information, please always contact the “Inquiry Desk” listed on the respective detail page.

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of KarXT for the Treatment of Psychosis Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (ADEPT-4)

Individuals aged 55 to 90 years.
Individuals diagnosed with, or suspected of having, dementia.
Individuals exhibiting symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations.
*To ensure safety, there are additional criteria required for participation.