Objective: To determine the effect of memantine in the treatment of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB).
Background: While memantine has been used to successfully treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) and some non AD dementias, no reports are available regarding the effect of the drug on DLB.
Methods: We reviewed the charts of 11 subjects with DLB by McKeith Criteria that were prospectively evaluated and treated with memantine (with or without cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs)) for varying lengths of time.
Results: 9 of 11 DLB subjects on memantine were also on ChEIs. Seven of eleven were stable or improved with memantine while the remaining four worsened or responded adversely when exposed to the drug. No adverse effects on motor function were observed.
Conclusions: Memantine can be used safely in patients with DLB, but its symptomatic effects may be variable.