Zhuravsky A. The search for new antiamnesic and cerebroprotective agents among the modulators of glutamate receptors.

The actuality of the investigation is conditioned by the requirements of modern medicine in absolutely new high effective antiamnesic and cerebroprotective agents. The positive effect of these agents on the higher integrative brain functions is the basis of their wide use in the clinical practice, especially in the treatment of the psychoorganic syndrome, conditioned by hypoxia or brain trauma, neuroinfection or neurointoxication. During the last decade the new facts appeared as the evidence of the leading role of the brain glutamatergic synapses in the processes of neurodegeneration, education and memory. Thus, phencyclidine and dysocylpine (MK-801) - high-affinity channel blockers of NMDA receptors - resist the ischemic brain injuries. They, nevertheless, possess the high narcogene potential and cause neurodegenerative changes in the central nervous system. Dextromethorphan and memantine are more prospective, as in doses, resisting excitotoxic brain injuries, these agents which possess the propertiesof "quick" blockers of the ionic channels of NMDA-receptors, do not reveal the narcogene activity.