Study: Memantine Ineffective at Treating Mild Alzheimer's Disease

Three trials were identified that concluded that there were no significant differences between memantine and a placebo in treating the 431 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease involved in the study.

US scientists have revealed that popular Alzheimer's drug memantine (Namenda) does not benefit those with a mild form of the disease.

The researchers looked through manufacturer-sponsored meta-analyses, presentations and publications to find evidence that proved the efficacy of memantine in mild Alzheimer's disease.

Three trials were identified that concluded that there were no significant differences between memantine and a placebo in treating the 431 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease involved in the study.

The drug, which had US sales of $1.2bn last year, has been approved in the US and Europe to treat patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, yet it is freque