Memantine Treatment of Compulsive Buying

Inclusion Criteria

• men and women age 18-65
• current CB using the clinician-administered Structured Clinical Interview for Compulsive buying (SCI-CB)
• buying behavior within 2 weeks prior to enrollment

Exclusion Criteria

• infrequent buying (i.e. less than one time per week) that does not meet proposed criteria for CB
• unstable medical illness or clinically significant abnormalities on laboratory tests or physical examination at screen
• history of seizures
• myocardial infarction within 6 months
• current pregnancy or lactation, or inadequate contraception in women of childbearing potential
• a need for medication other than memantine with possible psychotropic effects or unfavorable interactions;
• clinically significant suicidality;
• current Axis I disorder determined by the SCID and SCID-compatible modules for impulse control disorders, except for nicotine dependence
• lifetime history of bipolar disorder type I or II, dementia, schizophrenia, or any psychotic disorder determined by SCID
• current or recent (past 3 months) DSM-IV substance abuse or dependence;
• positive urine drug screen at screening
• initiation of psychotherapy or behavior therapy within 3 months prior to study baseline
• previous treatment with memantine
• treatment with investigational medication or depot neuroleptics within 3 months, with fluoxetine within 6 weeks, or with other psychotropics within 2 weeks prior to study baseline