The use of memantine in dementia with Lewy bodies.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of memantine in the treatment of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB).


BACKGROUND
While memantine has been used to successfully treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) and some non AD dementias, no reports are available regarding the effect of the drug on DLB.


METHODS
We reviewed the charts of 11 subjects with DLB by McKeith Criteria that were prospectively evaluated and treated with memantine (with or without cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs)) for varying lengths of time.


RESULTS
9 of 11 DLB subjects on memantine were also on ChEIs. Seven of eleven were stable or improved with memantine while the remaining four worsened or responded adversely when exposed to the drug. No adverse effects on motor function were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Memantine can be used safely in patients with DLB, but its symptomatic effects may be variable.
Sabbagh
Marwan N
MN
The Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research, Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA. Marwan.sabbagh@sunhealth.org
Hake
Ann Marie
AM
Ahmed
Sahir
S
Farlow
Martin R
MR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020961:Lewy Body Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008559:Memantine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D008559:Memantine