A Clinical Study Evaluating the Effects of Memantine on Brain Atrophy in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial

Official title: A 1-year Randomised, Double-blind Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Effects of Memantine on Rate of Brain Atrophy in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that memantine can decrease the neuronal toxicity associated with excessive glutamate release and calcium overload in neurons. Previous studies have shown that memantine helps to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). In AD, the rate of brain tissue loss, or atrophy, is faster than in normal aging and this seems to go hand in hand with some of the symptoms of the disease. This suggests that memantine treatment in AD could provide both symptomatic improvement and neuro-protective effects. The purpose of this study was to show whether memantine, in addition to providing symptomatic benefits, can slow the rate of brain atrophy as assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology.

Clinical Trial Description

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of memantine on the rate of brain atrophy compared to placebo in patients with AD (moderate severity) over a 1-year period. This was a multinational, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose study (20 mg memantine). The study also included secondary imaging, cognitive and behavioural measures. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Alzheimer Disease
• Alzheimer's Disease

• NCT number: NCT00862940
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: H. Lundbeck A/S
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Start date: September 2005
• Completion date: April 2009