Abstract: AIM: To observe and compare the effects of three drugs for Alzheimer's disease on viability of mouse cortical neurons in vitro including memantine hydrochloride, metrifonate and resveratrol in order to provide experimental data for screening out a better lead compound.METHODS: Mouse cortex neurons were isolated from embryo mice (E15)and plated on 96-well cultureplates with drugs in the serum medium.The effects of different concentrations of drugs on neuron viability were determined by MTT.Phase contrast microscopy and immunocytochemical method were used to examine the influence of drugs on the morphology of the neurons.RESULTS: Memantine hydrochloride enhanced the viability of neurons in a dose dependant way.Metrifonate had no effect but inhibited the effect on the viability of neurons at high concentrations(0.1, 1 μmol·L^-1).Resveratrol enhanced the viability of neurons at low dose (0.1 nmol·L^-1), while inhibited the viability of neurons at high dose(0.1,1, 10 μmol·L^-1).CONCLUSION: It is feasible that memantine hydrochloride can be regarded as the lead compound to design more potential drugs for Alzheimer's disease.

Key words: Alzheimer's disease, memantine hydrochloride, metrifonate, resveratrol, neurons