Amantadine Reduces Mania in Borna Disease Virus-Infected Non-Psychotic Bipolar Patients

This study investigated the clinical use and safety of amantadine in acute mania in an on-off-on design. Amantadine was augmented (200 mg/day) to pre-treatment strategies for 6 days, stopped for 6 days, and administered for another 6 days (on-off-on) in 10 manic inpatients. Manic symptoms were reduced in the first study period (on) by 45.8% [Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)]. Eight patients also finished the second period (off) which was not paralleled by any further reduction of mania. The third study period (on) was finished by seven patients with a further decrease of about 61.5%. The overall reduction from baseline after 18 days was 79.2% in this group. Amantadine augmentation reduced severe hypomania and moderate mania in BDV-infected bipolar I or II patients and was very well tolerated, especially no psychotic symptoms were observed.

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1 The author's opinion does not reflect the opinion of the Robert Koch Institute

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