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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and
"Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and to the use of our report dated
February 2, 1996, in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related
Prospectus of Cambridge NeuroScience, Inc. for the registration of 2,300,000
shares of its common stock.
 
     We also consent to the incorporation by reference therein of our report
dated February 2, 1996 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Cambridge NeuroScience, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and
1993 included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for 1995 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
December 17, 1996