Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026

The Sciatic Nerve Cuffing Model of Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Published on: July 16, 2014
NMDA receptor antagonists as analgesics: focus on the NR2B subtype
B A Chizh1, P M Headley, T M Tzschentke
1Dept of Pharmacology, Grünenthal GmbH Research & Development, Zieglerstr. 6, 52078, Aachen, Germany. Boris_A_Chizh@gsk.com
Abstract:
Ifenprodil and a group of related compounds are selective antagonists of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors. These compounds are antinociceptive in a variety of preclinical pain models and have a much lower side-effect profile compared with other NMDA receptor antagonists. It remains unclear whether the improved safety of these compounds is due to their subtype selectivity or to a unique mode of inhibition of the receptor. Human trials have so far confirmed the good tolerability of these subtype-selective NMDA receptor antagonists; however, whether they are as effective as other NMDA receptor antagonists in pain patients remains to be demonstrated.
Related Concept Videos
Nociception
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action
Competitive antagonists prevent acetylcholine from binding to its receptor, inhibiting membrane depolarization. Without conformational changes or intrinsic...
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

