title: Memantine and Kynurenic Acid: Current Neuropharmacological Aspects.
abstract: Glutamatergic neurotransmission, of special importance in the human brain, is implicated in key brain functions such as synaptic plasticity and memory. The excessive activation of N-methyl- D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors may result in excitotoxic neuronal damage; this process has been implicated in the pathomechanism of different neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Memantine is an uncompetitive antagonist of NMDA receptors with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, and is therefore clinically well tolerated. Memantine is approved for the treatment of AD, but may additionally be beneficial for other dementia forms and pain conditions. Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an endogenous antagonist of NMDA receptors which has been demonstrated under experimental conditions to be neuroprotective. The development of a well-tolerated NMDA antagonist may offer a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease and pain syndromes. KYNA may be a valuable candidate for future drug development.
authors.forename: Zsófia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Majláth
authors.forename: Nóra
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Török
authors.forename: József
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toldi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, Semmelweis u. 6. H-6725 Szeged, Hungary. vecsei.laszlo@med.u-szeged.hu.
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vécsei
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007736:Kynurenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D008559:Memantine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D007736:Kynurenic Acid; D008559:Memantine