Namenda/Memantine

[Guest guest]

Here are two published studies regarding the use of Namenda in LBD.

You will see that there are mixed results. Some people respond

favorably, but some with increased hallucinations/delusions. My

personal experience with my father was that he improved quite

remarkably when Namenda was added to the Aricept he had already been

on for years.

Because the majority of LBD patients also have some of the plaques

and tangles of Alzheimers, and vice versa, it makes me wonder

whether or not research is able to discern yet whether it's the AD

side of the patients responding to medications, or the LBD side!

You can read abstracts (summaries)on published research efforts on

LBD at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi.

(You may have to cut and past the following links so they all appear

on one line in your browser's address line.:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstract & list_uids=16131729 & query_hl=2

The use of memantine in dementia with Lewy bodies.

08/2005 - Seven of eleven participants were stable or improved with

memantine while the remaining four worsened or responded adversely

when exposed to the drug. No adverse effects on motor function were

observed. Conclusions: Memantine can be used safely in patients with

DLB, but its symptomatic effects may be variable..

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstract & list_uids=16087923 & query_hl=2

Delusions and hallucinations in dementia with Lewy bodies: worsening

with memantine.

08/2005 - Three patients with probable dementia with Lewy bodies

(DLB) experienced worsening delusions and visual hallucinations as a

result of memantine therapy. Significant resolution occurred once

treatment was discontinued. Caution is required when prescribing

memantine to patients with possible DLB.

Thanks to Peggy of the LBDA for adding these articles to our

resources!

Lewy Body Dementia Association