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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
January 13, 1997, in Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No.
333-18225) 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
   
January 27, 1997