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Effect of memantine combination therapy on symptoms in patients with moderate‐to‐severe depressive disorder: randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Author(s) -
Amidfar M.,
Khiabany M.,
Kohi A.,
Salardini E.,
Arbabi M.,
Roohi Azizi M.,
Zarrindast M.R.,
Mohammadinejad P.,
Zeinoddini A.,
Akhondzadeh S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/jcpt.12469
Subject(s) - memantine , placebo , medicine , randomized controlled trial , major depressive disorder , anesthesia , double blind , depressive symptoms , psychiatry , nmda receptor , anxiety , cognition , alternative medicine , receptor , pathology
Summary What is known and objective Current treatments for depressive disorders are far from optimum. This study was planned to evaluate possible antidepressant effects and safety of memantine, a selective N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate receptor antagonist, in humans. Methods Sixty‐six outpatients with the diagnosis of moderate‐to‐severe major depressive disorder, based on DSM ‐V diagnostic criteria, were recruited to participate in a parallel, randomized, controlled trial. Sixty‐two participants completed 6 weeks of treatment with either memantine (20 mg/day) plus sertraline (200 mg/day) or placebo plus sertraline (200 mg/day). Patients were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HDRS ) at baseline and at weeks 2, 4 and 6. Comparison of treatment efficacy in improving depressive symptoms between the two groups was the principal outcome measure. Results and discussion A repeated‐measures analysis demonstrated significant time × treatment interaction on HDRS score [F (2·09, 125·67) = 5·09, P  = 0·007]. Significantly greater improvement was seen at all three follow‐up sessions as well as significantly greater response rates at weeks 4 and 6 ( P  = 0·018 and P  < 0·001, respectively) in the memantine group. Significantly more early improvers and more rapid response to treatment were observed in the memantine group ( P  = 0·001 and P  < 0·001, respectively). A significant reduction was observed in HDRS score from baseline to the study endpoint in both memantine ( P  < 0·001, Cohen's d = 12·71) and placebo groups ( P  < 0·001, Cohen's d = 5·13). No serious adverse event occurred. No significantly greater remission rate was seen in the adjunctive memantine therapy. What is new and conclusion A 6‐week course of treatment with memantine as adjunct to sertraline showed a favourable safety and efficacy profile in patients with major depressive disorder. Nonetheless, larger controlled studies of longer duration are necessary to assess long‐term safety, efficacy and optimal dosing.

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