title: An open-label, multicenter observational study for patients with Alzheimer's disease treated with memantine in the clinical practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this post-marketing observational study, the safety and effectiveness of memantine were evaluated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 6-month, observational, open-label study at 202 specialist sites in Greece, the effectiveness of memantine was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale at baseline, and after 3 and 6 months. Discontinuation rates and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were also recorded to evaluate the safety profile of memantine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  2,570 patients participated in the study. Three and 6 months after baseline, MMSE and IADL scores were significantly improved compared to baseline. At the end of the study, 67% of the patients had improved their MMSE score; 7.1% of the patients reported ≥1 ADRs, and treatment was discontinued due to ADR in 0.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Memantine was well tolerated and had a positive effect on the patient's cognitive and functional ability in real-life clinical practice, in agreement with randomized, controlled trials.
authors.affiliation: 1st Psychiatric Department, University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, Athens.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Stamouli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tzanakaki
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giatas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Georgiadis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papalexi
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Parashos