title: Memantine for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no conclusive evidence supporting the efficacy of memantine in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of memantine concerning the efficacy and tolerability of memantine in FTD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were identified through searches of PubMed, databases of the Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO citations up to April 10, 2015. Outcomes were Clinical Global Impression (primary), Mini-Mental State Examination, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and Zarit Burden Interview scores as well as all-cause discontinuation. Standardized mean difference and risk ratio with 95% confidence interval were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (total n=130) met the inclusion criteria. Memantine was marginally superior to placebo as assessed by the Clinical Global Impression scores (standardized mean difference =-0.34, 95% confidence interval =-0.68-0.01, P=0.06). However, there were no significant differences in Mini-Mental State Examination, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and Zarit Burden Interview scores as well as all-cause discontinuation between memantine and placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that memantine may benefit FTD patients. However, because only two randomized controlled trials have addressed this issue, further studies using larger samples are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan.
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kishi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan.
authors.forename: Nakao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iwata
keywords: Clinical Global Impression; frontotemporal dementia; memantine; meta-analysis