A prospective, open-label trial of memantine in the treatment of cognitive, behavioral, and memory dysfunction in pervasive developmental disorders.
BACKGROUND
This pilot study examined the effectiveness of memantine hydrochloride in improving cognitive functioning and behavioral symptoms in children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs).


METHODS
Subjects aged 3-12 years inclusive were enrolled in this 8-week, open-label study. Expressive and receptive language, nonverbal IQ, and nonverbal memory measures were administered at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment with 0.4 mg/kg of memantine hydrochloride. Throughout the study, the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) was sent in weekly by parents as a measure of behavioral change.


RESULTS
Twelve of 14 subjects completed the study. Significant improvement from baseline was noted on the memory test (Children's Memory Scale Dot Learning Subtest). There were no significant differences from baseline on measures of expressive or receptive language or nonverbal IQ. There were significant improvements on a number of ABC subscales, including hyperactivity, lethargy, and irritability. There were no overall significant statistical differences from baseline on the Clinical Global Improvement-Severity (CGI-S) scale. On the Clinical Global Improvement-Improvement (CGI-I), 4 of 14 subjects showed minimal improvement, and none was deemed "much-improved" or "very much improved."


CONCLUSIONS
This small, prospective, open-label study suggests that memantine may be useful in the treatment of memory functioning and some behavioral symptoms in PDDs. The investigators did not see the same degree of change as endorsed by caretakers. Controlled studies are needed to substantiate and clarify these preliminary findings.
Owley
Thomas
T
University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Juvenile Research, Chicago, Illinois 60608, USA. towley@psych.uic.edu
Salt
Jeff
J
Guter
Stephen
S
Grieve
Adam
A
Walton
Laura
L
Ayuyao
Nelson
N
Leventhal
Bennett L
BL
Cook
Edwin H
EH
D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000187:drug effects; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D008559:Memantine