Memantine for Prevention of Cognitive Late Effects in Pediatric Patients Receiving Cranial Radiation Therapy for Localized Brain Tumors

Medication dosing will be overseen by one of the study neurologists, with step-wise dose reductions (5 mg intervals) allowable in the case of side effects.

A placebo that appears exactly like the study drug, memantine, will be given in a manner identical to the study drug.

Cognitive and neurologic examinations will be conducted to assess cognitive, social, quality of life, and neurological outcomes associated with memantine will be completed at baseline prior to medication start, and at 6 weeks (end of radiation therapy), 12 weeks (discontinuation of study medication or placebo), and one year post radiation therapy.