follow up study of use of memantine on cognitive functions and level of dependency of patients with Alzheimer's dementia

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the effect of Memantine on cognitive functions and level of dependency of patients with Alzheimer dementia. This descriptive study was conducted at department of Psychiatry, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from February to June 2012. Sample consisted of 55 patients; both male and female and were included through consecutive sampling. Patients were assessed at baseline and at three months follow up for Cognitive functions and level of dependency with the use of Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE] and Clifton Assessment Procedures for the Elderly [CAPE] as psychometric tools. Fifty five patients with Dementia were included in the study. Forty three patients completed their follow up visits. Mean score of the patients who completed follow up on MMSE at baseline was 17.47 +/- 6.04, while mean dependency grade of CAPE at baseline was 3.67 +/- 1.44. Mean score on MMSE at follow up was 19.67 +/- 5.88 while mean dependency grade of CAPE was 2.67 +/- 1.39. Significant difference was found between the scores on base line and follow up with the p=0.00. We concluded from our study that Memantine has useful role in the improvement of the cognitive functions and behavioral dependency of the demented patients as there were significant improvements seen in both cognitive functions and level of dependency of the patients with Alzheimer dementia after 3 months follow up assessment