Cross-over Comparison of Gabapentin and Memantine as Treatment for Acquired Nystagmus

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Nystagmus
• Interventions: Drug: gabapentin; Drug: memantine

• Registration Number: NCT00928954
• Lead Sponsor: Case Western Reserve University

Brief Summary

Involuntary oscillations of the eyes (nystagmus) impairs vision so that affected patients, who have neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) , cannot read or watch TV. Two medicines have been reported to suppress nystagmus and improve vision in such patients: gabapentin and memantine. The investigators set out to test which of these two drug was more effective by carrying out a double-blind cross-over study. In this way, we could determine which drug worked best in each patient.

Detailed Description

The study entails careful measurements of visual acuity and precise measurements of eye movements, using a contact lens device (magnetic search coil method). In this way, it is possible to make objective and reliable measurements of the effect of each drug, which are unbiased by the investigator or the patient.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2005-02
• Primary Completion: 2009-05
• Study Completion: 2009-05
• Study First Submitted: 2009-06-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2009-06-25
• Study First Posted: 2009-06-26
• Results First Submitted: 2012-02-09
• Status Verified: 2016-07
• Results First Submitted QC: 2016-07-28
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-07-28
• Results First Posted: 2016-07-29
• Last Update Posted: 2016-07-29

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 10

Inclusion Criteria

• Adult (18 years or older) males or females with acquired nystagmus that is degrading their vision

Exclusion Criteria

• Pregnant women
• Individuals who cannot describe their visual symptoms, cooperate with testing, or give informed consent
• Individuals with intolerance of gabapentin or memantine

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Gabapentin	gabapentin	Increasing dose to 300 mg four times per day (total of 1200 mg/day)
Memantine	memantine	Increasing dose over two weeks to 20 mg twice/day (total of 40 mg/day).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percent Change in Median Eye Speed	After 2 weeks of therapy, for both drugs	Median eye speed during attempted visual fixation by each eye
Change in logMAR Visual Acuity of Each Eye, Measured During Far or Near Viewing	After 2 weeks of therapy, for both drugs

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard; 🇺🇸 Cleveland, Ohio, United States