title: The use of NMDA-receptor antagonists in the treatment of chronic pain.
abstract: Chronic pain can be maintained by a state of sensitization within the central nervous system that is mediated in part by the excitatory amino acids glutamate and aspartate binding to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. A number of antagonists to the NMDA receptor are antinociceptive in animal models but are associated with significant dose-limiting side effects. Commercially available NMDA-receptor antagonists include ketamine, dextromethorphan, memantine, and amantadine. The opioids methadone, dextropropoxyphene, and ketobemidone are also antagonists at the NMDA receptor. The NMDA-receptor antagonists have a significant impact on the development of tolerance to opioid analgesics. Consequently, NMDA-receptor antagonists may represent a new class of analgesics and may have potential as coanalgesics when used in combination with opioids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Emory University Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. David_Hewitt@emory.org
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hewitt
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate