Abstract
Abstract Objective Schizophrenia is a complex and chronic psychiatric disorder. In recent years, studies have found glutamatergic system participation in its etiopathogenesis, especially through aberrant NMDA receptors functioning. Thus, drugs that modulate this activity, as amantadine and memantine, could theoretically be used in its treatment. To perform a systematic literature review about memantine and amantadine use as adjunct in schizophrenia treatment. Methods A systematic review of papers published in English indexed in the electronic database PubMed ® using the terms “memantine”, “amantadine” and “schizophrenia” published until October 2016. Results We found 144 studies, 8 selected for analysis due to meet the objectives of this review. Some of these have shown benefits from such drug use, especially in symptoms measured by PANSS and its subdivisions, while others do not. Discussion: The data in the literature about these drugs use for schizophrenia treatment is still limited and have great heterogeneity. Thus, assay with greater robustness are needed to assess real benefits of these drugs as adjuvant therapy.
Highlights
A systematic review of papers published in English indexed in the electronic database PubMed® using the terms “memantine”, “amantadine” and “schizophrenia” published until October 2016
Schizophrenia is a complex and heterogeneous psychiatric disorder characterized by an intriguing constellation of symptoms that are classically grouped into three main categories, positive, negative and cognitive symptoms[1]
The criteria listed below were used for studies inclusion or exclusion in this review: a) Type of study: Were selected double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials; b) Types of participants: The selected clinical trials involved patients with schizophrenia or related disorders diagnosis of any age or sex in antipsychotic treatment; c) Intervention type: All studies involving amantadine or memantine use in combination with antipsychotics, regardless of dose and regimen, used in any form of administration, and duration compared with placebo or another agent; d) Outcome: The selected studies sought to demonstrate the possible effects of amantadine or memantine use on positive, negative or cognitive symptoms in its various aspects
Summary
Schizophrenia is a complex and heterogeneous psychiatric disorder characterized by an intriguing constellation of symptoms that are classically grouped into three main categories, positive (delusions and hallucinations), negative (apathy, social withdrawal and emotional blunting, for example) and cognitive symptoms (wide range of constituent elements, such as attention and memory impairments)[1]. This condition has a chronic course and important impact on this patients’ lives and currently is among the ten most disabling diseases[2]. Scientific literature about memantine and amantadine use for schizophrenia treatment
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