Retrospective Study on Agitation Provoked by Memantine in Dementia

• DOI: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.13100226
• Publication Date: 2014-09-25T16:31:10Z
• Authors: Fulvio Da Re; Francesco Rucci; Valeria Isella
• Keywords: Memantine; Neurochemical

The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 196 patients with dementia treated memantine for at least 6 months. Eleven (5.6%) developed treatment-induced agitation. At chi-square analysis, they were significantly more likely to have a history similar side effects from other medications acting on central nervous system in comparison group without agitation, suggesting neurochemical susceptibility. A trend toward greater prevalence was also present ischemic cardiopathy and neuroimaging evidence chronic small vessel disease. Ischemic brain heart disease might contribute through anatomical functional alterations within glutamatergic system.