biostudies-literatureSwerdlow NRNIA NIH HHSRRD VA355-362https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12416332biostudies-literatureUnknown91(1)<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Objective</h4>To begin to test this possibility, we studied MEM effects on PPI and related measures in AD patients.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>Fifteen out of 18 participants exhibited reliable startle responses. MEM did not significantly impact startle magnitude or habituationJournal of Alzheimer's disease : JADPreliminary Evidence that Memantine Enhances Prepulse Effects on Startle Magnitude and Latency in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.PMC12416332IK2 RX003395IK1 RX003683R01 AG059640P30 AG062429Molina JLSprock JDelano-Wood LLeger GCKotz JEJoshi YBTalledo JIwanaga DLight GAHuege SSwerdlow NRfalsePreliminary Evidence that Memantine Enhances Prepulse Effects on Startle Magnitude and Latency in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Objective</h4>To begin to test this possibility, we studied MEM effects on PPI and related measures in AD patients.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>Fifteen out of 18 participants exhibited reliable startle responses. MEM did not significantly impact startle magnitude or habituation2023-01-01T00:00:00Z20232026-06-02T00:35:40.701Z2026-05-24T03:07:50.647ZS-EPMC124163323640455010.3233/JAD-22076910.3233/jad-220769