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  • Title: [Efficacy of memantine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease].
    Author: Molinuevo Guix JL, Lladó Plarrumaní A.
    Journal: Neurologia; 2005 Dec; 20(10):686-91. PubMed ID: 16317590.
    Abstract:
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder clinically characterized by cognitive loss with impairment of daily living activities. The benefits presently observed with the approved treatments are mainly symptomatic without clear evidence of neuroprotection. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonists have very extensive therapeutic potential in several central nervous system disorders and can be used in chronic neurodegenerative diseases and in other neurological diseases such as epilepsy. Memantine, a moderate-low affinity, uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, is the only antiglutamatergic drug currently approved for the treatment of moderate to severe AD. Several studies have demonstrated that treatment with memantine has cognitive and functional benefits through all disease stages, while it is safe and well tolerated. Additionally, memantine generates an indirect positive effect on the caregiver, which results in some social benefits. This fact, together with a delay on the transition towards a greater dependence stage is probably associated with a decrease in the number of patients institutionalized. From a socio-economic perspective, these effects mean lower global cost of disease, therefore being a cost-effective drug.
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