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NCT00040261 · ClinicalTrials.gov registry record · Phase 3

Clinical Trial of Memantine for Major Depression

A Phase 3 study of Depression, sponsored by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Completed
Registry status
Phase 3
Development phase
112
Enrollment target
1
Study location

NCT00040261: Completed Phase 3 study of Depression, sponsored by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

NCT00040261 is a Phase 3 study of Depression that has completed, run by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The registered enrollment target is 112 participants, below the 786-participant average among 679 other Depression trials with a reported enrollment target (86% lower). The trial reports 1 study location across 1 state. According to ClinicalTrials.gov, the official US trial registry.

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The verdict

NCT00040261, a Phase 3 study of Depression, has completed, sponsored by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

COMPLETED
Registry status
Phase 3
Development phase
112 participants
Enrollment target
1
Study location

Study Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of the drug memantine for treating major depression. Major depression is a serious public health concern that contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of a wide range of antidepressant drugs, a proportion of patients with major depression fail to respond to first-line antidepressant treatment, despite adequate dosage, duration, and compliance. Recent studies suggest that the glutamatergic system may play a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. Memantine and other agents which reduce glutamatergic neurotransmission may represent a novel class of antidepressants. The study consists of three phases. In Phase 1, participants will be tapered off all psychiatric medications over a 2-week washout period. In Phase 2, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either memantine or placebo (an inactive pill) three times a day for 8 weeks. Participants who do not respond to the treatment after 8 weeks will be taken off the study and offered standard treatment. Weekly psychiatric evaluations will evaluate treatment response. During Phase 2, participants who respond well to treatment will enter Phase 3, a 16-week continuation phase of either memantine or placebo. Interviews will be conducted every other week in the first month , then monthly thereafter. Participants will have a physical examination, neuropsychological tests, and eye blink tests at baseline and at the end of the study. Pulse, blood pressure, and blood samples will be taken throughout the study. Participants will undergo an electrocardiogram as well as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

  • DRUG Memantine HCL

Study Locations (1)

Maryland

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) - Bethesda

Trial Details

FieldValue
Enrollment Target 112 participants
Start Date 2002-06
Est. Completion 2005-03
Phase Phase 3

What the finished NCT00040261 record still lists

NCT00040261 is an interventional study that assigns participants to a tested intervention. The registered 112 participants enrollment target is mid-sized for trials with a published cap, below the 786-participant average among 679 other Depression trials with a reported enrollment target (86% lower).

The record links to 1 condition, with Depression appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention - of which Memantine HCL is the first listed.

NCT00040261 reports a single indexed study location in Maryland.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is clinical trial NCT00040261 about?

NCT00040261 is a clinical study titled "Clinical Trial of Memantine for Major Depression". The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of the drug memantine for treating major depression. Major depression is a serious public health concern that contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of a wide range of antidepressant drugs, ...

What is the current status of trial NCT00040261?

This trial is currently completed. It is a Phase 3 study. The enrollment target is 112 participants. The study started on 2002-06. Estimated completion is 2005-03.

What conditions does trial NCT00040261 study?

This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Depression.

What interventions are being tested in trial NCT00040261?

The interventions under investigation include: Memantine HCL (DRUG).

Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT00040261?

This trial is sponsored by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which has 343 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Where is trial NCT00040261 being conducted?

This trial has 1 study location across Maryland. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.

Similar trials for Depression

Matched on the same primary condition, ranked to surface studies in the same phase first, then by recruiting status, no relevance scoring or editorial curation.

Where NCT00040261's enrollment target sits among peer trials

112 309th of 679 higher than 371 of 679 other Depression trials

participants (enrollment target), bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more other Depression trials. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source ClinicalTrials.gov registry export · 2026-08-08

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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00040261, the US trial registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine. NCT00040261 (mid enrollment · single site footprint · completed) retrieved and formatted by PlainTrial, see methodology.