title: Memantine reduces stealing behavior and impulsivity in kleptomania:  a pilot study.
abstract: Kleptomania is characterized by repetitive stealing behavior and has been associated with deleterious unwanted outcomes including forensic contact and increased rates of suicidal behavior. Very few trials have been conducted to investigate pharmacological treatment options for this neglected condition. Memantine is an NMDA-receptor antagonist that has shown promising results in the treatment of other behavioral addictions and substance addictions. Twelve individuals with kleptomania received memantine (10 mg/day, titrated to 30 mg/day maximum depending on clinical response and tolerability) over the course of 8 weeks, in an open-label trial. The effects of treatment were quantified using well-validated measures and select neurocognitive tests (last observation carried forward analyses). Kleptomania disease severity scores decreased across all measures considered, and 11 (91.7%) of the participants met the responder criteria (35% improvement on the primary effectiveness measure plus CGI improved/very much improved; significant improvements were also observed in terms of mood, anxiety, and disability scores along with a significant improvement in stop-signal response inhibition. Memantine was generally well tolerated. This study shows the effectiveness of memantine in reducing urges to shoplift and shoplifting behavior along with improving impulsivity, mood, anxiety, and psychosocial functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. jongrant@uchicago.edu
authors.forename: Jon E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Odlaug
authors.forename: Liana R N
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.forename: Samuel R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Chamberlain
authors.forename: Suck
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Won Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004351:Drug Resistance; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000517:prevention & control*; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D059012:Lost to Follow-Up; D008297:Male; D008559:Memantine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013800:Theft / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D008559:Memantine