ALKYLCARBOXY AMINO ACIDS-MODULATORS OF THE KAINATE RECEPTOR

Compounds of a new class of alkyl carboxy amino acid analogs of glutamic acid act as specific regulators of the kainic acid EAA receptor cation channel. These compounds are useful for treating neurological, neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, neuropsychopharmacological and functional disorders associated with excessive or insufficient activation of the kainic acid subtype of the ionotropic EAA receptors; treating cognitive disorders associated with deactivation, suboptimal activation or over-activation of the kainic acid receptor; alleviating pain and improving and enhancing memory, learning, and associated mental processes. A method for designing novel AMPA or kainic acid receptor agonists or antagonists is also disclosed.