[Effect of memantine on central neurotransmitter systems. Review of the results]

In the present review the effects of 1,3-dimethyl-5-amino-adamantane (DMAA, D-145, Memantine, Memantine) on various neurotransmitter systems were presented. The most marked effect of DMAA seems to be the stimulation of dopaminergic neurons as reflected by the respective behavioural changes and biochemical effects. The stimulatory action on noradrenaline and serotonin neurons (at least partially indirectly through the activation of dopamine system) as well as on GABA neurons is apparent. No direct effects on Dopamine, alpha 1, alpha 2, Serotonin, GABA, benzodiazepine and opiate receptors were found. DMAA can be assigned to a new class of compounds which act mainly as dopaminomimetics, but its mode of action is apparently different from those of amphetamine or apomorphine. It differs quantitatively and qualitatively from amantadine, another derivative of adamantane.