The effects of memantine on the serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases and neurologic function of patients with ischemic stroke.

Memantine was suggested as a promising treatment for stroke due to its neuroprotective property and efficacy in reducing ischemic brain injury and improving post-ischemic neurological recovery. This pilot, open-label, randomized clinical trial was conducted to investigate the impact of memantine on serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, as neuronal damage biomarkers, and neurologic function evaluated by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) and Barthelindex(BI) in patients with ischemic stroke. Admitted patients with mild to moderate ischemic stroke were assessed for eligibility, and eligible patients were randomized to the intervention or control group. Enrolled patients in the intervention group received 20 mg memantine every 8 h for five days and then 20 mg daily for three months. Both groups managed with the standard treatments. From 77 randomized patients, 29 participants in the control group and 24 patients in the intervention group completed the study. Data showed that the increase in the serum concentrations of MMP-9 within the first 5 days of the study was significantly lower in the intervention group (P = 0.005). This effect of memantine on the MMP-2 was not significant (P = 0.448). memantine also could significantly improve the neurologic function of the patients according to NIHSS (P < 0.0001) and BI (P = 0.002) during hospitalization and after that. In conclusion, memantine could be considered as a neuroprotective agent in patients with mild to moderate ischemic stroke, based on its significant effects on reducing brain damage and improving neurologic function of the patients.