International journal of geriatric psychiatry
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Feb 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEfficacy of memantine in PDD and DLB: an extension study including washout and open-label treatment.
This 30-week extension trial was a continuation of the first double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) to study memantine in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). The objective was to evaluate the presence of recurrence of symptoms upon drug withdrawal. Furthermore, the aim was to explore washout dynamics in order to inform clinical practice. ⋯ The findings inform clinical practice that any possible memantine-associated benefits might be rapidly lost after drug withdrawal. The magnitude of deterioration suggests a symptomatic rather than a disease-modifying effect of the drug. Open-label results should merely be considered inspiration for future trials.