A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of memantine in the treatment of major depression.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to assess possible antidepressant effects of memantine, a selective N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist in humans.


METHODS
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 32 subjects with major depression were randomly assigned to receive memantine (5-20 mg/day) (N=16) or placebo (N=16) for 8 weeks. Primary efficacy was assessed by performance on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).


RESULTS
The linear mixed models for total MADRS scores showed no treatment effect.


CONCLUSIONS
In an 8-week trial, the low-to-moderate-affinity NMDA antagonist memantine in doses of 5-20 mg/day was not effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder.
Zarate
Carlos A
CA
Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Department of Human Health Services, Bethesda, MD, USA. zaratec@mail.nih.gov
Singh
Jaskaran B
JB
Quiroz
Jorge A
JA
De Jesus
Georgette
G
Denicoff
Kirk K
KK
Luckenbaugh
David A
DA
Manji
Husseini K
HK
Charney
Dennis S
DS
D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D010919:Placebos; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D008559:Memantine