Cambridge NeuroScience Inc. said it started initial clinical trialsin Britain of its drug, CNS 1102, for preventing brain damageresulting from stroke.

CNS 1102, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) ion-channel blocker,will be tested in 20 healthy volunteers in a dose-ranging,double-blind study that is expected to take about two monthsto complete, said John T. Smith, the company's manager ofcorporate communications.

Cambridge Neuro (NASDAQ:CNSI) of Worcester, Mass., expectsto file this fall an investigational new drug (IND) application tostart U.S. trials of the product, probably in early 1993. It alsoplans to expand British trials to include treatment of traumatichead injury, in addition to the effects of stroke.

The interrupted blood flow to the brain following a stroke orhead injury causes nerve cell death. Excessive glutamate isreleased from damaged nerve terminals, which then stimulatesthe entry of calcium into nerve cells, resulting in nerve celldeath and brain damage. CNS 1102 is designed to block theflow of calcium into the cells.

CSN has an exclusive worldwide license to CNS 1102 from theUniversity of Oregon.

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