Memantine for Agitation in Dementia (MAGD. Collaboration with Dr Xxxxx Xxx, University of East Anglia This cohort is described in detail in Fox et al. (2012). In summary, this was a 12 week randomised, placebo controlled clinical trial into whether memantine is a safe and effective treatment for agitation in dementia. Participants were recruited according to the below inclusion/exclusion criteria (Xxx, Xxxxxxxx et al. 2012): Inclusion criteria: • Residential/Inpatients at recruitment to the study with a history of at least 2 weeks behavioural disturbance. • Alzheimer’s disease only as per NINCDS-ADRDA criteria and Haschinski Score<=4. • Moderately severe to severe Alzheimer’s disease (baseline MMSE>=4) • Clinically significant agitation that requires treatment. • Severity of agitation defined by Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx agitation inventory (CMAI) > =45. • Age >= 55. Exclusion criteria: • Memantine usage in the 4 weeks prior to the start of the study. • Cholinesterase inhibitor for less than 3 months and not on a stable dose. • Antipsychotic, anti-epileptic, antidepressant, benzodiazepine, lithium or hypnotic dosage alteration in the 2 weeks prior to the start of the study. • Anti-xxxxxxxxx medication. • Hypersensitivity to memantine or any of the excipients in the formulation. • Severe renal impairment • Epilepsy, history of convulsions or seizure, or receiving any anti-epileptic treatment. • Concomitant usage of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists such as amantadine, ketamine or dextromethorphan. • Recent myocardial infarction, uncompensated congestive heart failure and uncontrolled hypertension. • Severe, unstable or poorly controlled medical illness. • Any disability that may interfere with the patient completing the study procedure. Active malignancy. • Delirium, pain or any medical illness as a clear cause of agitation. • Any important drug interactions: Prohibited during study and in the 14 days preceding enrolment/inclusion are: Analgesic dextromethorpan mentioned above Dopaminergics- amantadine mentioned above warfarin due to theoretical International Normalised Ratio prolongation. One hundred and fifty three participants who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria above and passed medical screening were recruited from five UK centres (Oxford, Plymouth, South East London, Kent and East Anglia) and randomised to either memantine 10 mg twice daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Assessments were carried out at baseline, 4, 6 and 12 weeks. Dr Xxxxx Xxx (MAGD Chief Investigator) gave his support for a substan...
