Memantine for Agitation and Aggression in Severe Alzheimer's Disease
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-01-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by both
cognitive and behavioural symptoms ("Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia";
BPSD). To date, there are only modestly effective treatments for BPSD, and these treatments
are associated with an increased risk of mortality in elderly dementia patients. We plan to
study whether treatment with medication memantine improves BPSD in severe AD patients.
Thirty-two AD patients with significant BPSD, including agitation and aggression, will be
treated for three months with memantine. Assessments of behavioural symptoms and global
clinical outcomes will be completed after one, two and three months of treatment.