Using an experimental medicine model to understand the antidepressant potential of the N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist memantine.

Journal article

There is growing interest in the role of the glutamatergic system both in depression and as a novel target for treatments. Preclinical studies suggested that the non-competitive N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist memantine might have antidepressant properties, but a randomised controlled trial failed to support this. A healthy volunteer model of emotional processing was used to assess the neuropsychological profile of action of memantine. Healthy volunteers (n=32) were random...

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Authors: Pringle, A; Parsons, E; Cowen, L; McTavish, S; Cowen, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 1417-1423
• Publication date: 2012-11-01
• DOI: 10.1177/0269881112446535
• EISSN: 1461-7285
• ISSN: 0269-8811
• Language: English
• Keywords: Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Neuropsychological Tests; Adult; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Humans; Memantine; Memory, Short-Term; Antidepressive Agents; Adolescent; Double-Blind Method; Young Adult; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors; Male; Citalopram; Emotions; Startle Reaction