Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

JA

Accession No.:

J69857

Journal:

JOURNAL OF HEAD TRAUMA REHABILITATION

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 1, 29, 391-399

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study tested the a priori hypothesis that amantadine reduces irritability (primary hypothesis) and aggression (secondary hypothesis) among individuals with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI). A total of 76 individuals greater than 6 months post-TBI were randomly assigned to receive 100 milligrams of amantadine hydrochloride twice a day or an equivalent placebo for 28 days. Symptoms of irritability and aggression were measured before and after treatment using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Irritability (NPI-I) and Aggression (NPI-A) domains, as well as the NPI-Distress for these domains. In the amantadine group, 80.56 percent improved at least 3 points on the NPI-I, compared with 44.44 percent in the group that received placebo. Mean change in NPI-I was -4.3 in the amantadine group and -2.6 in the placebo group. When excluding individuals with minimal to no baseline aggression, mean change in NPI-A was -4.56 in the amantadine group and -2.46 in the placebo group. Mean changes in NPI-I and NPI-A Distress were not statistically significant between the amantadine and placebo groups. Adverse event occurrence did not differ between the 2 groups. Findings suggest that 100 milligrams of amantadine every morning and at noon appears an effective and safe means of reducing frequency and severity of irritability and aggression among individuals with TBI and sufficient creatinine clearance.

Author(s):

Tulsky, D.S., Kisala, P.A., Kalpakjian, C., Bombardier, C.H., Pohlig, R., Heinemann, A.W., Carle, A., & Choi, S.W.

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