What is "memantine"

n. (context medicine English) A drug, derived from adamantane, that is used to treat Alzheimer's disease, dementia etc.

Memantine is the first in a novel class of Alzheimer's disease medications acting on the glutamatergic system by blocking NMDA receptors. It was first synthesized by Eli Lilly and Company in 1968 as a potential agent to treat diabetes; the NMDA activity was discovered in the 1980s.

Memantine is marketed under the brands Namenda among others. Memantine has been shown to have a modest effect in moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease and in dementia with Lewy bodies. Despite years of research, there is little evidence of effect on mild Alzheimer's disease.