Memantine for axonal loss of optic neuritis.

Background: To determine the effect of memantine on axonal loss and visual function during the course of optic neuritis (ON).

Methods: Sixty ON patients in a single-center, institutional setting were randomly assigned to the memantine or placebo groups. Patients with first attack of acute unilateral optic neuritis, with visual symptoms of 8 days' duration or less were enrolled in this trial.