ZD-9379 is an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. It possesses neuroprotective properties and could potentially be used for the treatment of certain strokes.

ZD-9379 works by antagonizing (blocking) the glycine site on the NMDA receptor, because both glycine (co-agonist) and an agonist at the main site are needed to activate the NMDA receptor, blocking the glycine binding site prevents the receptor from activating.

In rats, ZD-9379 has been tested to help spreading depression and brain infarction, results have shown that treatment with ZD-9379 reduced the amount of spreading depressions and the volume of infarcts. Another study was also able to produce similar results.