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Ruth O'Hara

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Publication Details

  • MR spectroscopy for assessment of memantine treatment in mild to moderate Alzheimer dementia.

    Ashford JW, Adamson M, Beale T, La D, Hernandez B, Noda A, Rosen A, O'Hara R, Fairchild JK, Spielman D, Yesavage JA. J Alzheimers Dis. 2011: 26 Suppl 3 331-6

    Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) may provide a precise and reliable assessment of the extent and severity of neural tissue loss caused by various diseases. In particular, the N-Acetyl Aspartate (NAA) and Creatine (Cr) ratio has been found to be an indicator of the degree of neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Memantine is thought to benefit the AD brain by stabilizing the NMDA receptors on neurons in turn reducing excitotoxicity. Despite its effectiveness in treating moderate to severe AD, memantine has not had similar success in the treatment of mildly demented AD patients. The objective of this study was to test whether memantine would slow or prevent the loss of neurons in mild to moderate AD patients.

    PubMedID: 21971472

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