Effects of amantadine in children with impaired consciousness caused by acquired brain injury: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a pilot study of amantadine in children with impaired consciousness caused by acquired brain injury, to establish design feasibility, and to assess the effect on level of arousal and consciousness.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Seven subjects (mean age, 12.7 yrs) with an acquired brain injury (mean duration, 6 wks) were randomized to receive either 3 wks of placebo or amantadine, followed by a 1-wk washout period and then 3 wks of the other agent. Main outcome measures were the Coma/Near-Coma Scale and Coma Recovery Scale-Revised, each done three times per week. Subjective evaluations of change in arousal and consciousness by the parent and physician were done weekly.


RESULTS
Five subjects completed the study. There was no significant difference in the slopes of recovery during either arm for the Coma/Near-Coma Scale (P = 0.24) or the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (P = 0.28), although improvements in consciousness were noted by the physician during weeks when amantadine was given (P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that amantadine facilitates recovery of consciousness in pediatric acquired brain injury and provides important information necessary to design future more definitive studies.
McMahon
Mary A
MA
Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Vargus-Adams
Jilda N
JN
Michaud
Linda J
LJ
Bean
Judy
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000547:Amantadine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D000547:Amantadine