The non-competitive N-methyl- d-aspartate-antagonist memantine does not affect segmental mono- and polysynaptic reflexes in man

• Published in: Neuroscience letters 1998-12, Vol.257 (3), p.159-161
• Main Authors: Schepelmann, Karsten, Schugens, Markus M., Löschmann, Peter A., Klockgether, Thomas, Dichgans, Johannes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Binding, Competitive; Biological and medical sciences; Double-Blind Method; Flexor reflex; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Memantine; Memantine - metabolism; Memantine - pharmacology; N-Methyl- d-aspartate antagonists; N-Methylaspartate - antagonists & inhibitors; Nociception; Pain; Pain Measurement - methods; Reflex - drug effects; Reflex, Monosynaptic - drug effects; Somesthesis and somesthetic pathways (proprioception, exteroception, nociception); interoception; electrolocation. Sensory receptors; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0304-3940; 1872-7972
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-3940(98)00822-2

Studies in rats have shown that the polysynaptic flexor reflex (FR) but not the monosynaptic reflexes are affected by N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Theoretically, the suppression of FR might be caused by an alteration of the spinal nociceptive neurons. To investigate, whether the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist memantine interferes with nociception in man, we studied both its effect on pain perception and on FR. In a double-blind study 14 male subjects were randomly assigned to either placebo or memantine (30 mg p.o.) treatment. H-reflex (HR) and FR as well as pain and tolerance threshold were determined prior to and 6 h after drug intake. Contrary to expectations, there were no differential treatment effects either on FR threshold and magnitude or on pain and tolerance thresholds or the HR amplitude.