Preliminary Evidence that Memantine Enhances Prepulse Effects on Startle Magnitude and Latency in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The uncompetitive NMDA antagonist, memantine (MEM), enhances prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI) across species. MEM is used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD); conceivably, its acute impact on PPI might be used to predict a patient's sensitivity to MEM's therapeutic effects.

Objective

To begin to test this possibility, we studied MEM effects on PPI and related measures in AD patients.

Methods

18 carefully screened individuals with AD (mean age = 72.8 y; M:F=9 : 9) completed double-blind order-balanced testing with MEM (placebo versus 20 mg), assessing acoustic startle magnitude, habituation, PPI, and latency.

Results

Fifteen out of 18 participants exhibited reliable startle responses. MEM did not significantly impact startle magnitude or habituation

SUBMITTER: Swerdlow NR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12416332 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature