title: Huntington's disease: effect of memantine on FDG-PET brain metabolism?
abstract: In this open-label pilot study, the authors evaluated the effect of memantine on the distribution of brain glucose metabolism in four Huntington's disease (HD) patients as determined by serial 18-fluoro-deoxyglucose [F(18)]FDG-PET scans over a period of 3-4 months (90-129 days, with one patient choosing to continue treatment over the 18-month follow-up period). The treatment regimen was well tolerated. No significant differences on neuropsychological parameters before and after treatment were detected; but the patient who continued treatment did not deteriorate at 18 months' reevaluation, whereas the three patients who had stopped treatment after 3 to 4 months had minor progression in all cognitive domains on re-evaluation 12 months after the end of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Neurogenetics Clinic, Memory Disorders Research Group, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. jermind@sund.ku.dk
authors.forename: Lena Elisabeth
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Hjermind
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Aia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jønch
authors.forename: Jette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stokholm
authors.forename: Jørgen Erik
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D008559:Memantine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D005947:Glucose; D008559:Memantine