title: Is memantine a potential therapeutic for Rett syndrome?
abstract: Memantine is a low-affinity, voltage-dependent, non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. It is classified as a neuroprotective aminoadamantane. It does not cure or reverse Alzheimer's but it does effectively treat symptoms, slows the progression of the disease and allows many patients to perform daily cognitive activities with clear thoughts. Based on it's success in patients with Alzheimer's, memantine has been tested in other neurological disorders with impaired learning and memory. In this review, we will discuss the success and failures of memantine in Downs Syndrome and Fragile X research and from those results, assess the potential benefit of memantine in Rett Syndrome (RTT).
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Agnes Scott College Decatur, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bello
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Kelsey
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chapleau
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Agnes Scott College Decatur, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Larimore
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Fragile X syndrome; Rett syndrome; down syndrome; memantine