Memantine hydrochloride Alzheimer's drug. Marketed as Memantine Accord, this is an NMDA-receptor antagonist used to treat Alzheimer?檚 disease, a common cause of dementia in the elderly. It binds to the same sites in the brain as the neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate is over-produced in patients with Alzheimer's disease leading to a large influx of calcium into brain cells. The calcium damages the cells, causing the symptoms of dementia. Memantine does not cure the disease, but it does slow its progression and improve cognitive function and the ability to carry out everyday tasks.