Cognitive effects of memantine in postmenopausal women at risk of dementia: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
To determine the effects of memantine on cognition in a normal population of postmenopausal women with putative risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) using a built-in control for the genetic risk factor for AD (apoE-epsilon4 status).


METHODS
A prospective, open-label, 6-month pilot medication trial with memantine and follow-up after discontinuance conducted at the Center for Neuroscience in Women's Health, Stanford University School of Medicine. Neuropsychological data were collected on 22 community-dwelling postmenopausal women (11 apoE-epsilon4 carriers and 11 apoE-epsilon4 non-carriers) with at least one putative risk factor for AD.


RESULTS
ApoE-epsilon4 status was not a significant predictor of change in neuropsychological performance. Changes associated with memantine treatment for entire sample included significant declines in some variables associated with verbal learning and memory that improved upon medication withdrawal. A positive medication effect was noted with executive functions and possibly category fluency. Trend-level improvements were seen in motor dexterity of the non-dominant hand and maintained even after drug discontinuance.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with memantine appeared to have differential effects on cognitive performance in a population of women with putative risk factors for AD. ApoE-epsilon4 carrier status did not account for observed changes in cognition.
Wroolie
T E
TE
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5723, USA.
Kenna
H A
HA
Williams
K E
KE
Powers
B N
BN
Holcomb
M
M
Lazzeroni
L
L
Rasgon
N L
NL
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003704:Dementia / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology; D008559:Memantine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D008559:Memantine