Can amantadine ameliorate neurocognitive functions after subarachnoid hemorrhage? A preliminary study

Abstract

Objective: Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) may have devastating effects on patients. Motor and neurocognitive impairments may arise depending on the location and grade of the SAH. Although the effects of amantadine on neurocognitive function after traumatic brain injury have been widely studied to the best of our knowledge, their effects on recovery from SAH in humans have not been studied. The present study aimed to evaluate how amantadine influences improvement in neurocognitive function in patients with aneurysmal SAH over a period of six months.

Methods: This preliminary study included 12 patients with aneurysmal SAH who were admitted to the neurointensive care unit of Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine. Patients in Group A (n=5) received the standard treatment for SAH and amantadine for 30 days after admission, and those in Group C (n=7) received only the standard treatment. Neurocognitive function was evaluated using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised and Disability Rating Scale on the first and fifth days and at the third and sixth months after admission. The primary endpoint of the present study was to compare the effects of amantadine in combination with the standard treatment to those of the standard treatment alone on the neurocognitive function of patients with SAH for over 6 months.

Results: Compared to the standard treatment alone, amantadine administration with the standard treatment during the early period of SAH may improve recovery.

Conclusion: Amantadine along with the standard treatment can ameliorate neurocognitive function after SAH.