The Effect of Memantine on Cognitive Impairments in Patients with Brain Tumour under Radiotherapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Background: Cognitive impairment is one of the common problems in patients undergoing radiotherapy, but there is no way to prevent it until this time. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of memantine on the prevention of cognitive impairment in patients with brain tumour undergoing radiotherapy. Method: In this clinical trial study, 70 patients under radiotherapy were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The first group received 10 mg of memantine tablets daily for six months and the second group received placebo at the same dose and time. Cognitive impairment was evaluated through Mini-Mental Status Examination questionnaire and compared between the two groups. Results: The mean score of cognitive impairment before and after radiotherapy in the control and intervention groups were 27.97 ± 1.52 and 27.66 ± 1.35 (P = 0.26), in the following month were 27.74 ± 1.74 and 27.63 ± 1.35 (P = 0.73), in the following three months were 23.17 ± 1.81 and 24.77 ± 1.44 (P 0.001), and in the following six months were 20.66 ± 1.8 and 23.17 ± 1.42 (P 0.001). In addition, changes in cognitive impairment score were significantly different between the two groups (P 0.001). Conclusion: It seems that memantine is effective in preventing the cognitive impairment in patients undergoing radiotherapy following brain tumour surgery and the implementation of this referee can be associated with improved cognitive function over time.