Efficacy Study of Memantine Hydrochloride and Escitalopram for the Treatment of Co-Morbid Depression and Alcoholism.

Summary

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of memantine, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor blocker, in depression co-morbid with long term alcohol heavy use comparing to SSRI-inhibitor, escitalopram. Second goal is to compare their influence to cognitive tasks and the third goal is to follow up alcohol-use with these two medicines.

Timeline

Start

2005-12

Primary completion

—

Completion

2006-06

Publications

• Results Maler JM, Esselmann H, Wiltfang J, Kunz N, Lewczuk P, Reulbach U, Bleich S, Ruther E, Kornhuber J. Memantine inhibits ethanol-induced NMDA receptor up-regulation in rat hippocampal neurons. Brain Res. 2005 Aug 9;1052(2):156-62. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2005.06.017.
• Muhonen LH, Lahti J, Sinclair D, Lonnqvist J, Alho H. Treatment of alcohol dependence in patients with co-morbid major depressive disorder--predictors for the outcomes with memantine and escitalopram medication. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2008 Oct 3;3:20. doi: 10.1186/1747-597X-3-20.
• Muhonen LH, Lonnqvist J, Juva K, Alho H. Double-blind, randomized comparison of memantine and escitalopram for the treatment of major depressive disorder comorbid with alcohol dependence. J Clin Psychiatry. 2008 Mar;69(3):392-9. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v69n0308.

Drugs

Indications