animal toxicity of memantine

Rats fed memantine* for 14 days sustained no adverse neuronal effects. * 6X the maximum recommended dose for humans on a mg/m2 basis In rats, memantine induces lesions similar to those observed with other NMDA receptor antagonists. - vacuolation & necrosis in multipolar neurons & pyramidal neurons in layers 3 & 4 of the posterior cingulate cortex & retrosplenial cortex These lesions may be seen after a single dose of memantine.

References

Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc