title: The non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate-antagonist memantine does not affect segmental mono- and polysynaptic reflexes in man.
abstract: Studies in rats have shown that the polysynaptic flexor reflex (FR) but not the monosynaptic reflexes are affected by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Theoretically, the suppression of FR might be caused by an alteration of the spinal nociceptive neurons. To investigate, whether the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist memantine interferes with nociception in man, we studied both its effect on pain perception and on FR. In a double-blind study 14 male subjects were randomly assigned to either placebo or memantine (30 mg p.o.) treatment. H-reflex (HR) and FR as well as pain and tolerance threshold were determined prior to and 6 h after drug intake. Contrary to expectations, there were no differential treatment effects either on FR threshold and magnitude or on pain and tolerance thresholds or the HR amplitude.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Klinik, Universität Tübingen, Germany. karsten.schepelmann@swol.de
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schepelmann
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Schugens
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Löschmann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klockgether
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dichgans
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008559:Memantine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D012023:Reflex, Monosynaptic / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D008559:Memantine