Open-Label Pilot Study of Namenda in Adult Subjects With ADHD and ADHD NOS
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00586573 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : January 4, 2008
Results First Posted : June 7, 2012
Last Update Posted : June 7, 2012
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
ADHD | Drug: memantine hydrochloride | Phase 4 |
Memantine (Namenda) is a low-affinity N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist believed to work by blocking prolonged low-level activation of the NMDA receptor and resultant neuronal damage caused by abnormal glutamatergic activity, yet also allowing normal physiological activity of the NMDA channel. Memantine (Namenda) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2003 for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. Memantine improves or delays the decline in cognition (attention, language, visuo-spatial ability), as well as functional and behavioral symptoms in adults with moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Although the efficacy and safety of memantine has not been tested in people with ADHD, the spectrum of disorders possibly amenable to NMDA receptor antagonist treatment may include ADHD and associated executive function deficits (EFDs). To this end, we are proposing an open-label pilot study of memantine in adult subjects with ADHD and ADHD Not Otherwise Specified (NOS).
This will be a 12-week, open-label pilot study to assess the efficacy and tolerability of memantine hydrochloride (Namenda) administered to 20 adults 18-55 years of age with ADHD and ADHD NOS. All subjects that enter the study will undergo standard screening and diagnostic procedures. After obtaining written informed consent from the subject, the diagnosis of ADHD will be established through clinical evaluation by an expert clinician. Only consenting subjects satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria will be included in the study.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 34 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | An Open-Label Pilot Study of Namenda (Memantine Hydrochloride) in Adult Subjects With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and ADHD NOS |
Study Start Date : | March 2007 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | October 2009 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | October 2009 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Namenda |
Drug: memantine hydrochloride
tablet, 5-20 mg, twice daily, by mouth, 12 weeks
Other Name: Namenda |
- DSM-IV ADHD Rating Scale (AISRS) Score Change [ Time Frame: Endpoint, following 12 weeks Memantine Monotherapy ]
AISRS used to assess 18 individual criteria symptoms of ADHD in DSM-IV on a severity grid (0=not present, 3=severe; minimum score=0, maximum score=54). This is a composite score assessing both inattention and hyperactivity, which are not assessed individually in this scale.
Score change from baseline.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 55 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male and female outpatients 18-55 years of age
- Subjects with the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), by DSM-IV or ADHD NOS (late onset; >7 years), as manifested in clinical evaluation and confirmed by structured interview.
- Subjects must score at least 14 on inattentive symptom questions on the DSM-IV based ADHD Rating Scale.
- Subjects who have an ADHD specific CGI Severity score of 4 or more (> moderately impaired).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Subjects with a medical condition or treatment that will either jeopardize subject safety or affect the scientific merit of the study, including:
- History of Renal or Hepatic Impairment.
- Organic brain disorders.
- History of Seizure disorder.
- Any clinically unstable psychiatric conditions including the following: psychosis, suicidality, bipolar disorder, current substance use disorders (alcohol or drugs) or current tic disorder.
- Mental retardation (IQ <75).
- Pregnant or nursing females.
- Known hypersensitivity to memantine.
- Any current psychotropic treatment, with the exception of stable regimen of SSRIs.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00586573
United States, Massachusetts | |
Massachusetts General Hospital | |
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, 02138 |
Principal Investigator: | Paul Hammerness, MD | MGH |
Responsible Party: | Paul Hammerness, MD, Assistant Professor Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00586573 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
2007-P-000067 |
First Posted: | January 4, 2008 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | June 7, 2012 |
Last Update Posted: | June 7, 2012 |
Last Verified: | May 2012 |
ADHD Namenda |
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders Mental Disorders Memantine Antiparkinson Agents Anti-Dyskinesia Agents |
Dopamine Agents Neurotransmitter Agents Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Physiological Effects of Drugs Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists Excitatory Amino Acid Agents |