Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Improvement in neuropsychological function with memantine treatment among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a phase 2 randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors' conclusion
Among patients with SLE-associated neuropsychological dysfunction, treatment with memantine for 12 weeks improved objective neuropsychological function.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with objective neuropsychological dysfunction43 analysed
- Participants
- 56 adults
- Comparison
- Memantine titrated to 40 mg/d for 12 weeks vs placebo
- Memantinen = 18
- Placebon = 25reference
- Primary endpoint
- Change in Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) total score from baseline to week 12
- Follow-up
- Week 12
Methodological detailsmultisite, placebo-controlled, 12-week
- Multisite
- Placebo-controlled
- 12-week
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Change in RBANS total score
Memantine
+8
median
Placebo
+5
median
P = 0.032
Further findings
RBANS total score increase ≥8 (clinically important) · week 12
NNT 3.3 · P = 0.047
Self-reported improvement (PGI-C)
P = 0.19
Safety
Discontinuation due to adverse events
Original publication
Improvement in neuropsychological function with memantine treatment among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a phase 2 randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial. Ann Rheum Dis. Published 22 August 2026. doi:10.
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