Does Memantine Improve Verbal Memory Task Performance in Subjects With Partial Epilepsy and Memory Dysfunction?
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Many patients with epilepsy have memory deficits in the setting of otherwise normal
intelligence. Unfortunately, the treatment options for memory dysfunction in patients with
epilepsy are limited. The investigators are conducting a study to evaluate the effects of
memantine for the treatment of verbal memory dysfunction in subjects with
localization-related seizures. The study involves randomization to memantine therapy or
placebo, with cognitive testing and EEG pre- and post-treatment, as well as after an
open-label memantine treatment phase.
The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of memantine for the treatment of
verbal memory dysfunction in subjects with left temporal lobe epilepsy. The investigators
expect that verbal memory task performance will improve in those taking memantine, but not in
those taking a placebo.
The investigators propose that the expected benefit of memantine is specific to verbal memory
in subjects with left temporal lobe seizures, rather than representing an overall improvement
in cognitive function. The investigators expect no improvement on other cognitive tasks in
either the memantine or placebo groups.
The investigators will evaluate whether subjects with left temporal lobe epilepsy and memory
difficulties have self-reported improvement in memory while taking memantine. The
investigators expect improvement of self-rated memory function on the Quality of Life in
Epilepsy Patient Inventory (QOLIE-89) in the memantine group, but no change on this scale in
the placebo group.