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

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. 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. 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. Memantine may be beneficial for treatment-resistant OCD as an augmenting agent.