Cyclic amino acids and their salts and esters - useful in the therapy of cerebral disorders

Novel cyclic amino acids are of formula (I) in which R1 = H or lower alkyl; n = 4, 5, or 6. Specific cpds. or salts are Na-, Ca-, and ammonium-1-aminomethyl-1-cyclohexyl acetate; 1-aminomethyl-1-cyclohexane- and heptane-acetic acid-methyl ester; Na- and Ca-1-aminomethyl-1-cycloheptyl acetate; 1-aminomethyl-1-cycloheptane- and -pentane-acetic acid-n-butyl ester. toluenesulphonate and 1-aminomethyl-1-cyclopentane acetic acid benzenesulphonate. (I) have hypothermic and partly narcosis-potentiating or sedating activity with very low toxicity. They have also a protecting effect on thiosemicarbazide- and in some cases also cardiazole-induced cramp. They may be used in the therapy of certain cerebral disorders such as certain forms of epilepsy, dizzy spells, hypokinesis as well as giving an improved cerebral functioning.