A placebo-controlled study of memantine for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-associated sensory neuropathy.
Distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) is the most frequent neurological complication of HIV infection. Neuropathic symptoms vary from mild paresthesias to severe pain that respond only partially to symptomatic treatment. Forty-five subjects with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated symptomatic DSP (SDSP) were enrolled in a randomized, multicenter, 16-week placebo-controlled study of memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) uncompetitive antagonist. Although memantine was well tolerated, no trend toward clinical benefit was observed. Results were similar to those of other pilot studies of memantine for neuropathic pain unrelated to HIV, suggesting that memantine is ineffective for the symptomatic treatment of HIV-associated SDSP.
Schifitto
Giovanni
G
University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14620, USA. Giovanni.schifitto@ctcc.rochester.edu
Yiannoutsos
Constantin T
CT
Simpson
David M
DM
Marra
Christina M
CM
Singer
Elyse J
EJ
Kolson
Dennis L
DL
Nath
Avindra
A
Berger
Joseph R
JR
Navia
Bradford
B
D000328:Adult; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000254:growth & development*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D010919:Placebos
D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D010919:Placebos; D008559:Memantine