2005 - Memantine for Alcohol Dependence:
Poster 1:
Memantine for Alcohol Dependence:
Preliminary Results from an Open-Label Study
Arias, Albert, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT;
Kranzler, HR; Covault, J
Introduction:
Glutamatergic neurotransmission, and specifically NMDA receptor function, has been implicated in the pathophysiology
of alcohol dependence.
Memantine is an NMDA receptor channel blocker, preclinical and human laboratory studies of which
suggest that it may reduce alcohol consumption.
Methods:
We are conducting an 8-week, open-label study of memantine to
examine its potential utility in promoting abstinence or
reducing heavy drinking in alcoholics.
Subjects are 21-65 years old and must want to quit or reduce
their drinking to non-hazardous levels.
The initial dosage of memantine is 5mg PO daily, with the daily dosage increased by 5mg/week to a target dosage of 20mg/day.
Subjects receive concomitant coping skills therapy.
Results:
To date, 13 subjects have been enrolled, of whom 4 have completed the study and 1 discontinued treatment prematurely.
Preliminary analysis shows the medication to be generally
well tolerated, with 6 of 7 patients achieving the target dosage.
Moderateto-severe adverse effects (none serious) were reported by 3 patients.
Although subjects did not reduce the number of days drinking,
they significantly reduced drinks/day and heavy drinking days (p ’s<.05).
Some subjects reported that treatment produced a rapid
restoration of cognitive abilities and normal sleep pattern.
Conclusions:
Preliminary results suggest that memantine is tolerated
by alcohol-dependent subjects, and may be of value in reducing
heavy drinking in these individuals.
Additional data from this ongoing study will provide a
clearer indication of whether a randomized
control trial of memantine for treatment of alcohol dependence is warranted.
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ADDICTION PSYCHIATRY
16TH ANNUAL MEETING & SYMPOSIUM
December 8-11, 2005
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Scottsdale, Arizona
Jointly sponsored by
The Medical University of South Carolina
and The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
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