ZD-9379 is an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. It possesses neuroprotective properties and could potentially be used for the treatment of certain strokes.
Mechanism of action
ZD-9379 works by antagonizing (blocking) the glycine site on the NMDA receptor,[1][2] because both glycine (co-agonist) and an agonist at the main site are needed to activate the NMDA receptor, blocking the glycine binding site prevents the receptor from activating.
Potential use
In rats, ZD-9379 has been tested to help spreading depression and brain infarction, results have shown that treatment with ZD-9379 reduced the amount of spreading depressions and the volume of infarcts.[3] Another study was also able to produce similar results.[4]