Cambridge NeuroScience Inc. said Tuesday that it startedclinical trials in Britain of CNS 1102 for use in preventing braindamage resulting from stroke.

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

Cambridge Neuro (NASDAQ:CNSI) expects to file this fall aninvestigational new drug (IND) application to start U.S. trials ofthe product, probably in early 1993. It also plans to expandBritish trials to include treatment of traumatic head injury.

Interrupted blood flow to the brain following a stroke or headinjury kills nerve cells. Excessive glutamate is released fromdamaged nerve terminals, which then stimulate the entry ofcalcium into nerve cells, resulting in brain damage. CNS 1102 isdesigned to block the of flow of calcium into the cells.

Cambridge Neuro has an exclusive worldwide license to CNS1102 from the University of Oregon.

(c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.