Memantine facilitates memory consolidation and reconsolidation in the day-old chick

► Memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, is used to treat Alzheimer's disease. ► We examined memantine's action on passive avoidance learning in healthy young chicks. ► 0.1 mM memantine enhanced memory consolidation and reconsolidation. ► Memantine enhanced intact memory rather than facilitating impaired memory.