The invention relates to novel quinazolines and heterocycles which are antagonists or positive modulators of AMPA receptors, and the use thereof for treating, preventing or ameliorating neuronal loss associated with stroke, global and focal ischemia, CNS trauma, hypoglycemia and surgery, as well as treating or ameliorating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and Down's syndrome, treating, preventing or ameliorating the adverse consequences of the overstimulation of the excitatory amino acids, treating, preventing or ameliorating anxiety, psychosis, convulsions, chronic pain, glaucoma, retinitis, urinary incontinence, muscular spasm and inducing anesthesia, as well as for treating or ameliorating the adverse consequences of excitatory amino acid deficiency such as schizophrenia, myoclonus. Alzheimer's disease and malnutrition and neural maldevelopment, and as cognition and learning enhancers.