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| |  Memantine Improves Functional, Cognitive, and Behavioural Abilities in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease: Presented at EFNS By Ann Saul FLORENCE, Italy -- September 17, 2009 -- Memantine improves the functional, cognitive, and behavioural abilities of a large population of nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to an observational study presented here on September 14 at the 13th Congress of the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS). Previous placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind studies and meta-analyses have established the efficacy and tolerability of memantine in moderate to severe AD. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that patients receiving memantine required less caregiver time that patients on placebo. Matthias W. Riepe, MD, Division of Mental Health and Old Age Psychiatry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany, and colleagues conducted a prospective, multicentre, open-label, observational study in 1,325 nursing home patients (mean age, 79 years; 70% female) with AD or dementia. The study was conducted for a period of 26 weeks. About 85% of the patients had at least 1 concomitant disease and received at least 1 concomitant medication for various conditions involving the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and alimentary and metabolic system (22%). Psychological diseases were reported most frequently. A range of evaluation scales was used to measure the cognitive and functional abilities of patients: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Functional Assessment Scale at the beginning of the study and at weeks 12 and 24. In addition, the Nurses’ Observation Scale for Geriatric Patients (NOSGER) and the Clinical Global Impression of Change were used in assessment of the patients. After 26 weeks, MMSE score was improved in 71% of patients and stabilisation in 9% of patients. Most patients experienced improvement (30%) or stabilisation (59%) in functional abilities. Some patients (67%) showed improvement in the NOSGER total score as early as 4 weeks. The number of patients showing improvement increased during the remaining weeks. Fewer patients reported agitation after the 26-week period. The assessment of tolerability of memantine was rated as good (40%) or very good (60%) in patients. The ease of use and tolerability of memantine in treating geriatric patients with AD may help preserve the patient’s competence and ease the burden of caregivers, the authors concluded. Funding for this study was provided by Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH. [Presentation title: Memantine in the Treatment of Nursing Home Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease. Abstract P2029]
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