There is general agreement that moderate affinity uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists combine good efficacy and tolerability in animal models of disturbances in glutamatergic transmission. There are several theories on which properties are important for this profile including 1, rapid access to the channel at the start of pathological overactivity 2, rapid, voltage-dependent relief of blockade during physiological synaptic activation and 3, partial untrapping. Merz has developed a series of novel uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists based on the cyclohexane structure. In cultured hippocampal neurones MRZ 2/579 (1-amino-1,3,3,5,5-pentamethylcyclohexane) shows similar blocking kinetics to memantine (Kon 10.7 * 10(4)M(-1)sec(-1), Koff 0.20sec(-1) at -70mV) and binds at the same depth in the NMDA receptor channel (delta = 0.8). The potency of MRZ 2/579 assessed as Kd = Koff/Kon = 1.87microM agrees well with the IC50 of 1.29microM against steady-state currents in cultured hippocampal neurones (at -70mV) and with the Ki in [3H]-MK-801 binding of 0.65microM. MRZ 2/579 protected cultured cortical neurones against glutamate toxicity with an IC50 of 2.16microM and was also effective in protecting hippocampal slices against hypoxia/hypoglycaemia-induced reduction of fEPSP amplitude in CA1 with an EC50 of 7.01microM. MRZ 2/579 has similar potency and bio-availability to memantine in vivo assessed using microdialysis, microiontophoresis and MES-induced seizures. Initial characterization in animal models provides strong support for the assumption that MRZ 2/579 could be a useful therapeutic in morphine/alcohol dependence, inhibition of morphine tolerance, chronic pain and as a neuroprotective agent.