title: Meta-analysis of six-month memantine trials in Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical trials have suggested benefits of memantine for all stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A meta-analysis of memantine trials in outpatients with probable AD was conducted.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six randomized, placebo-controlled trials fulfilled inclusion criteria. Cognitive, global, functional, behavioral, and safety measures were evaluated by using fixed or random effects models. Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine potential effects of disease severity and concomitant cholinesterase inhibitor use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, memantine showed statistically significant, homogenous benefits on global and functional outcomes and statistically significant but heterogeneous benefit on cognition. In pooled moderate to severe AD studies, effects were significant and homogeneous on global, functional, and behavioral measures; in pooled mild to moderate studies, significant and homogeneous effects were found on global rating and cognition. Safety profiles suggested excellent safety and tolerability, with no differences between the severity groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Memantine consistently benefited patients in all stages of AD and was well-tolerated.
authors: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. rdoody@bcm.tmc.edu
authors: Rachelle Smith
authors: RS
authors: Doody
authors: Pierre N
authors: PN
authors: Tariot
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Pfeiffer
authors: Jason T
authors: JT
authors: Olin
authors: Stephen M
authors: SM
authors: Graham