EGIS-8332 is a potent and selective non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist. EGIS-8332 inhibits AMPA/kainate ion channels and cell death. EGIS-8332 inhibited AMPA currents in rat cerebellar Purkinje cells and inhibited the AMPA- and quisqualate-induced excitotoxicity in primary cultures of telencephalon neurons (IC(50)=5.1-9.0 microM), in vitro. EGIS-8332 seems suitable for further development for the treatment of epilepsy, ischaemia and stroke based on its efficacy in a variety of experimental disease models, and on its low side effect potential.