Effect of neramexane on ethanol dependence and reinforcement.

Abstract

It has been suggested that drugs modulating the glutamate/N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor system may be useful in the treatment of alcohol dependence. The effect of neramexane, a low-to-moderate affinity uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, was examined on the development and expression of ethanol dependence (withdrawal-associated audiogenic seizures) and ethanol-induced conditioned place preference. Neramexane hydrochloride (3.5 mg/kg and higher) inhibited both the development and expression of ethanol dependence. Neramexane hydrochloride also inhibited the acquisition (1.75 mg/kg and higher) and expression (3.5 mg/kg and higher) of ethanol-induced place preference. Our data support therapeutic potential of neramexane as a treatment for alcohol abuse.

• Authors: Jolanta Kotlinska, Grazyna Biala, Piotr Rafalski, Marcin Bochenski, Wojciech Danysz
• Journal: European journal of pharmacology (Eur J Pharmacol) Vol. 503 Issue 1-3 Pg. 95-8 (Oct 25 2004) ISSN: 0014-2999 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15496302 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Alcohol Deterrents
• Central Nervous System Depressants
• Cyclopentanes
• Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
• Taurine
• Ethanol
• neramexane
• Acamprosate

Topics

• Acamprosate
• Alcohol Deterrents
• Alcoholism (psychology)
• Animals
• Behavior, Animal (drug effects)
• Central Nervous System Depressants (pharmacology)
• Conditioning, Operant (drug effects)
• Cyclopentanes (pharmacology)
• Ethanol (pharmacology)
• Male
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Reinforcement, Psychology
• Seizures (physiopathology)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (psychology)
• Taurine (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)