An Open-Label, Multicenter Observational Study for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease Treated with Memantine in the Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND/AIMS In this post-marketing observational study, the safety and effectiveness of memantine were evaluated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS In a 6-month, observational, open-label study at 202 specialist sites in Greece, the effectiveness of memantine was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale at baseline, and after 3 and 6 months. Discontinuation rates and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were also recorded to evaluate the safety profile of memantine. RESULTS 2,570 patients participated in the study. Three and 6 months after baseline, MMSE and IADL scores were significantly improved compared to baseline. At the end of the study, 67% of the patients had improved their MMSE score; 7.1% of the patients reported ≥1 ADRs, and treatment was discontinued due to ADR in 0.7%. CONCLUSION Memantine was well tolerated and had a positive effect on the patient's cognitive and functional ability in real-life clinical practice, in agreement with randomized, controlled trials.