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A small phase 2 trial found that memantine, a drug typically used for Alzheimer's, helped lupus patients think more clearly. Patients with SLE who took memantine for 12 weeks scored significantly higher on cognitive tests than those on placebo, with the biggest gains in immediate memory. Larger trials are still needed to confirm the findings.
Lupus patients struggling with cognitive impairment may have a new treatment option on the horizon. A randomized, double-blind phase 2 trial published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that memantine — a drug already approved for Alzheimer's disease — significantly improved cognitive performance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who had measurable neuropsychological deficits. The 12-week study, conducted across three US sites, enrolled 56 patients, of whom 43 completed the full treatment period.
Participants who received memantine (titrated up to 40 mg/day) outperformed those on placebo on a standard cognitive battery, with especially notable gains in immediate memory. The drug was generally well tolerated, with similar discontinuation rates between groups.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Cognitive dysfunction is a debilitating but often overlooked feature of neuropsychiatric SLE, with no approved treatments. This proof-of-concept study opens the door to a potential therapy, though the authors caution that larger trials are needed to confirm durability and long-term benefit.
