Role of Amantadine after severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Amantadine with the dose of 100 mg two times a day, has been studied in patients who get transferred to the rehabilitation center in a vegetative or a semi-vegetative state after severe TBI and found to be associated with accelerated recovery, particularly during the first month of admission. Afterward, the effect may plateau out. The mechanism of action  is thought to be the antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate and/or indirect agonsim of dopamine. Due to chances of higher benefits than risks, there is no harm to try out Amantadine in patients who after the acute phase of severe TBI goes into a vegetative or a semi-vegetative state. 


Reference:

 Giacino JT, Whyte J, Bagiella E, et al. Placebo-controlled trial of amantadine for severe traumatic brain injury. N Engl J Med 2012; 366:819.