Featured articleMeta-analysis of six-month memantine trials in Alzheimer's disease

BackgroundClinical trials have suggested benefits of memantine for all stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A meta-analysis of memantine trials in outpatients with probable AD was conducted.MethodsSix randomized, placebo-controlled trials fulfilled inclusion criteria. Cognitive, global, functional, behavioral, and safety measures were evaluated by using fixed or random effects models. Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine potential effects of disease severity and concomitant cholinesterase inhibitor use.ResultsOverall, memantine showed statistically significant, homogenous benefits on global and functional outcomes and statistically significant but heterogeneous benefit on cognition. In pooled moderate to severe AD studies, effects were significant and homogeneous on global, functional, and behavioral measures; in pooled mild to moderate studies, significant and homogeneous effects were found on global rating and cognition. Safety profiles suggested excellent safety and tolerability, with no differences between the severity groups.ConclusionsMemantine consistently benefited patients in all stages of AD and was well-tolerated.