Neuroprotective effects of ketamine and memantine on NMDA receptors from molecular to systemic level

The goal of this thesis is to present the evidence for the role of NMDA receptor excitotoxicity in pathology of Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, major depressive disorder and ischemic stroke, evaluate the neuroprotective effects of NMDA receptor antagonists ketamine and memantine based on excitotoxicity research, and review the current body of evidence on their potential use as a treatment for these conditions. Keywords: excitotoxicity, ketamine, memantine, NMDAR, neurodegeneration