Can patients with chronic neuropathic pain be cured by acute administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist amantadine?

Pain. 1998 Feb;74(2-3):337-9. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3959(97)00198-x.

Abstract

The treatment of neuropathic pain remains a challenge as it rarely leads to long-term relief of symptoms. We report three patients with chronic neuropathic pain, in whom acute administration of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist amantadine resulted in complete resolution of symptoms, presumably due to termination the central 'wind-up' phenomenon.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amantadine / administration & dosage*
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / administration & dosage*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Amantadine