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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2011 Feb 1.
Published in final edited form as: Cell Calcium. 2010 Jan 8;47(2):190–197. doi: 10.1016/j.ceca.2009.12.009

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

Memantine and NitroMemantine preferentially block excessive extrasynaptic NMDA receptor activity, while relatively sparing synaptic receptors. (Top) Normal (physiological/synaptic) activity of the NMDAR is required for synaptic function and neuronal survival. Many NMDAR antagonists, such as MK-801, completely block receptor activity, including physiological synaptic activity, and thus result in severe side effects and clinical intolerability. (Bottom) Excessive activation of the NMDAR, predominantly at extrasynaptic sites, is thought to induce neuronal cell injury and death, and is associated with the accumulation of misfolded proteins. Memantine (Mem) and the newer NitroMemantine drugs (NitroMem) preferentially block excessive (pathological) extrasynaptic NMDA receptor activity, while relatively sparing normal (physiological) synaptic activity [14].