This book compiles the most recent information on molecular biology, physiology, and pharmacology of NMDA receptors, their neuroanatomical localization within specific neural pathways involved in nociception, and experimental and clinical evidence demonstrating the potential of receptor antagonists of NMDA and other excitatory amino acids in the treatment of pain states.

Dalip J. S. Sirinathsinghii and Ray G. Hill Merck, Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, Neuroscience Research Centre, Terlings Park, Eastwick Road, Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR, UK There remains a distinct medical need for new pain therapies. Therefore, it is not surprising that in recent years there has been a major research initiative in both aca- demic and pharmaceutical laboratories to identify novel pain targets and to devel- op novel analgesic drugs. It is clear from numerous studies that the NMDA recep- tor plays a major role in the transmission ofnociceptive information and it has been a...