An open-label trial of memantine in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder

BACKGROUND: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often refractory to treatment. Glutamatergic neurotransmission modulating agents like memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor open channel blocker (antagonist), has been reported to be beneficial in OCD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve subjects of OCD who had been on various medications for over 5 years, but were poor responders, were enrolled for a 12-week open-label trial with fixed dose trial of memantine as an augmenting agent. The OCD symptoms and adverse effects of the drug were monitored. RESULTS: Out of 12 subjects, eight had clear benefit, with reduction of 25% or more on Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, and there were no side-effects with the medication. CONCLUSION: Memantine may be beneficial for treatment-resistant OCD as an augmenting agent.