Licostinel

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Licostinel (also known as ACEA-1021) is a drug that acts as a competitive antagonist at the glycine site of the NMDA receptor. It was initially developed for the treatment of stroke and traumatic brain injury.

Mechanism of Action

Licostinel works by inhibiting the activity of the NMDA receptor, which is a type of glutamate receptor. The NMDA receptor plays a crucial role in synaptic plasticity, memory, and learning. By blocking the glycine site on the NMDA receptor, Licostinel reduces the excitotoxicity that occurs during ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury.

Clinical Trials

Licostinel has undergone several clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Early studies showed promise in reducing the extent of brain damage following a stroke. However, subsequent trials did not demonstrate significant clinical benefits, leading to a halt in its development for this indication.

Potential Applications

Despite the setbacks in clinical trials for stroke, Licostinel has been studied for other potential applications, including the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Research is ongoing to determine its efficacy in these areas.

Side Effects

The side effects of Licostinel are similar to those of other NMDA receptor antagonists. Common side effects include dizziness, nausea, and headache. More severe side effects can include hallucinations and psychosis.

See Also

• NMDA receptor antagonist
• Glycine receptor
• Excitotoxicity
• Neuroprotection

External Links

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