Memantine for Agitation and Aggression in Severe Alzheimer's Disease

Summary

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by both cognitive and behavioural symptoms ("Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia"; BPSD). To date, there are only modestly effective treatments for BPSD, and these treatments are associated with an increased risk of mortality in elderly dementia patients. We plan to study whether treatment with medication memantine improves BPSD in severe AD patients. Thirty-two AD patients with significant BPSD, including agitation and aggression, will be treated for three months with memantine. Assessments of behavioural symptoms and global clinical outcomes will be completed after one, two and three months of treatment.

Timeline

Start

2006-11

Primary completion

2010-01

Completion

2010-01

Publications

• Results Herrmann N, Cappell J, Eryavec GM, Lanctot KL. Changes in nursing burden following memantine for agitation and aggression in long-term care residents with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease: an open-label pilot study. CNS Drugs. 2011 May;25(5):425-33. doi: 10.2165/11588160-000000000-00000.

Drugs

Indications