This invention discloses that kainic acid receptor antagonists (KA antagonists) can act as "safener" agents to reduce or prevent adverse side effects caused by NMDA antagonists. NMDA antagonists can reduce excitotoxic brain damage due to stroke, cardiac arrest, asphyxia, etc., but they also cause toxic damage to certain types of neurons, as well as psychotomimetic effects such as hallucinations. Co-administration of a KA antagonist can (1) reduce or prevent such undesired side effects, and (2) increase the extent of neuronal protection provided to the CNS, beyond the levels of protection that can be provided by NMDA antagonists alone, or non-NMDA antagonists alone. Therefore, co-administration of a KA antagonist allows NMDA antagonists to be used more safely and effectively.

Use of kainic acid antagonists to prevent toxic side effects of NMDA antagonists

This invention discloses that ibogaine, a plant derivative, can be used as a safe NMDA antagonist at relatively high dosages (including dosages high enough to cause hallucinations), to reduce or prevent excitotoxic brain damage due to stroke, cardiac arrest, trauma or other forms of neuronal injury or degeneration, without causing the neurotoxic side effects caused by other NMDA antagonist drugs. The relative safety of ibogaine is due to antagonist activity at neuronal sigma receptors, which had not been known prior to discovery by the Applicant. This invention also discloses that ibogaine also can be administered in combination with (1) drugs that suppress activity at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, or (2) drugs which suppress activity at the kainic acid subclass of glutamate receptors, to reduce or avoid the hallucinatory effects of ibogaine and provide a higher level of neuroprotective activity.

hallucinations/stróc

Use of kainic acid antagonists to prevent toxic side effects of NMDA antagonists

Use of ibogaine in reducing excitotoxic brain damage

An bunachar luibheanna míochaine is iomláine le tacaíocht ón eolaíocht