Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of amantadine in the treatment of symptoms
and neurocognitive performance in adolescents following sports-related
concussion. PARTICIPANTS: A clinical sample of 25 male (n = 11) and female (n =
14) adolescent subjects with an age-, sex-, and concussion history-matched group
of 25 male (n = 11) and female (n = 14) control subjects. SETTING: Outpatient
concussion clinic. INTERVENTION: Retrospective, case-control design. Treatment
group consisted of patients treated with 100 mg of amantadine twice daily (200 mg
total per day) following a period of rest. Matched controls were evaluated and
treated conservatively without medication at the same concussion program prior to
the start of the current amantadine protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Immediate
Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Test computerized neurocognitive test
battery and symptom report. RESULTS: Results support significantly greater
improvements from pre- to posttest in reported symptoms, verbal memory, and
reaction time performance for the amantadine group than the matched controls.
There were no significant differences for visual memory or visual motor
processing speed. CONCLUSION: This study provides empirical support for
amantadine as an effective pharmacologic treatment of certain concussion-related
cognitive deficits and symptoms in athletes with protracted recovery of more than
3 weeks.

Langue : ANGLAIS