Neurobehavioral effects of amantadine after pediatric traumatic brain injury: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of a dopamine agonist, amantadine hydrochloride (AMH), in the treatment of neurobehavioral sequelae of pediatric TBI.

PROCEDURES: Age- and severity-matched traumatic brain injury groups, randomized to AMH (n = 17) or usual care (n = 10), completed behavior scales and neuropsychological tests. Effect sizes measured the treatment effect within subjects and between groups. Side effects were tracked over the 12-week study course.

RESULTS: Behavior improved in the AMH group, but only those 2 years or fewer postinjury showed a treatment effect on cognitive tests.

CONCLUSIONS: After traumatic brain injury, a 12-week course of AMH was safe and, according to parent report, improved behavior. AMH may have the potential to improve cognition in more recently injured children.