biostudies-literatureBhai SFDA HHSU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationFDA-OPD63-72https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11632565biostudies-literatureUnknown71(1)<h4>Introduction</h4>Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease with no known cure, limited treatment options with minimal benefits, and significant unmet need for disease modifying therapies.<h4>Aims</h4>This study investigated memantine's impact on ALS progression, with an additional focus on the effects of memantine on cognitive and behavioral changes associated with the disease.<h4>Methods</h4>A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted from December 2018 to September 2020. ALS patients were enrolled in-person and remotely across 13 sites in the United States. Participants were randomized to memantine (20 mg twice daily) or placebo in a 2:1 ratio and completed 36 weeks of treatment. The primary outcome of disease progression was assessed by the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), and blood was collected for biomarker analysis.<h4>Results</h4>Of the 99 participants enrolled in the study, 89 were randomized to memantine or placebo (ages 24-83 years, male-to-female ratio ~3:2). Fifty-two participants completed the study treatment with no significant differences in disease progression, biomarker changes (including neurofilament light chain [NfL]), or neuropsychiatric testing noted between the groups. Initial NfL values correlated with the rate of ALSFRS-R decline.<h4>Discussion</h4>In this study, memantine did not impact ALS disease progression or neuropsychiatric symptoms. Trials with remote enrollment may help trial participation and success.Muscle & nerveA 40-week phase 2B randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the safety and efficacy of memantine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.PMC11632565R01 FD003937R01FD003937Papsdorf TPulley MGovindarajan RStatland JBhai SGrogan JHussain YBarohn RJawdat OGoslin KKatz SWWeiss MBowser ROlney NKasarskis EJabari DDimachkie MMWalsh MLevine TShibani ANeuromuscular Study Group and Western ALS Consortium Memantine ALS Study GroupSimmons ZHeim AJMoser SGoyal NAMoore DSchwasinger-Schmidt TfalseA 40-week phase 2B randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the safety and efficacy of memantine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.<h4>Introduction</h4>Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease with no known cure, limited treatment options with minimal benefits, and significant unmet need for disease modifying therapies.<h4>Aims</h4>This study investigated memantine's impact on ALS progression, with an additional focus on the effects of memantine on cognitive and behavioral changes associated with the disease.<h4>Methods</h4>A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted from December 2018 to September 2020. ALS patients were enrolled in-person and remotely across 13 sites in the United States. Participants were randomized to memantine (20 mg twice daily) or placebo in a 2:1 ratio and completed 36 weeks of treatment. The primary outcome of disease progression was assessed by the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), and blood was collected for biomarker analysis.<h4>Results</h4>Of the 99 participants enrolled in the study, 89 were randomized to memantine or placebo (ages 24-83 years, male-to-female ratio ~3:2). Fifty-two participants completed the study treatment with no significant differences in disease progression, biomarker changes (including neurofilament light chain [NfL]), or neuropsychiatric testing noted between the groups. Initial NfL values correlated with the rate of ALSFRS-R decline.<h4>Discussion</h4>In this study, memantine did not impact ALS disease progression or neuropsychiatric symptoms. Trials with remote enrollment may help trial participation and success.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jan2026-06-03T00:54:51.623Z2025-04-06T15:07:53.212ZS-EPMC116325653951196510.1002/mus.28287