Use of memantine (namenda) to treat autism, compulsivity, and impulsivity

Abstract

The present invention relates to the treatment of compulsive, impulsive and pervasive developmental disorders. More particularly, the methods described herein comprise administration of memantine to an individual suffering from such a disorder in an amount effective to relieve one or more symptoms of said disorder. In particularly preferred aspects, the invention is directed to the use of memantine for the treatment of autism

1 . A method of treating an animal having an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder comprising administering to said animal an effective amount of a composition comprising memantine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, an analog of memantine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         2 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the obsessive˜compulsive spectrum disorder is selected from the group consisting of obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette's syndrome, body dismorphic disorder, hypochondriasis, eating disorders, impulse control disorders, paraphilias and nonparaphilic sexual addictions, Sydeham's chorea, torticollis, autism and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder is an impulse control disorder selected from the group consisting of intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania, pathological gambling, pyromania, compulsive shopping, compulsive buying, repetitive self-mutilation, onychophagia, psychogenic excoriation, trichotillomania and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disorder is an impulse control disorder from the group consisting of pathological gambling, compulsive buying, sexual compulsion, alcohol and substance use disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), neurological disorders with disinhibition or frontal lobe deficits, bipolar disorder, and childhood onset bipolar disorder. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the serotonin reuptake inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, venlafaxine, mirtazepine, duloxetine and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising administering an anti-epileptic agent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said anti-epileptic agent is selected from the group consisting of valproate, divalproex, gabapentin, topiramate, leviracetam, lamotrigine, carbamazapine, oxcarbamazepine, tiagabine, zonisamide, clonzaepam, pregabalin, zarontin and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising administering a stimulant or non-stimulant of attention. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said stimulant or non-stimulant of attention is selected from the group consisting of dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, adderall, adderall XR, concerta, focalin, and strattera. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising administering an atypical antipsychotic. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said atypical antipsychotic is selected from the group consisting of risperidone, olanzepine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and aripiprazole. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising administering a cholinergic enhancer. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20  wherein said cholinergic enhancer is selected from the group consisting of aricept (donepezil), excelon, reminyl (galantamine), and mestinon. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administration produces at least a rating of 2 on the Clinical Global Impression Improvement Scale-AD, or an improvement on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, ABC (Aberrant Behavior Checklist), PDD-BI Scale, YBOCS, CY-BOCS, ADOS, language scales, attention scales. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said memantine is administered on an as-needed basis at a dose of 0.01 to 500 mg/kg. 
     
     
         24 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 - 37 . (canceled)