The invention is directed to substituted 2-aminoacetamides represented by
formula (II): ##STR00001## and to pharmaceutically acceptable salts and
prodrugs thereof, wherein the substituents are defined herein. The
invention is also directed to the use of substituted 2-aminoacetamides in
methods for the treatment of neuronal damage following global and focal
ischemia, and for the treatment, prevention or amelioration of pain, as
anticonvulsants, as antimanic depressants, as local anesthetics, as
antiarrhythmics and for the treatment or prevention of diabetic
neuropathy.