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The NMDA antagonist memantine impairs classical eyeblink conditioning in humans
M M Schugens1, R Egerter, I Daum
1Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany. markus.schugens@uni-tuebingen.de
Neuroscience Letters
|March 7, 1997
Summary
Memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, did not affect general memory or attention in healthy adults. However, it impaired the acquisition of classical eyeblink conditioning, suggesting specific effects on cerebellar-dependent learning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are crucial for synaptic plasticity and learning.
- Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist used clinically, but its effects on specific memory systems require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of memantine on human memory and learning.
- To explore the dissociability of different memory systems using pharmacological manipulation.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 16 healthy male volunteers.
- Administration of a single oral dose (30 mg) of memantine.
- Assessment of mood, attention, verbal and visuospatial memory, and classical eyeblink conditioning.
Main Results:
- No significant effects of memantine on mood, attention, or immediate/delayed verbal and visuospatial memory.
- Memantine significantly delayed the acquisition of classical eyeblink conditioning.
- A reduced overall frequency of conditioned responses was observed, without affecting reflex or spontaneous eyeblinks.
Conclusions:
- Memantine's effects are compatible with its higher affinity for cerebellar compared to forebrain tissue.
- Pharmacological tools like memantine can dissociate different memory systems.
- These findings highlight the role of NMDA receptors in cerebellar-dependent learning.