Anticonvulsive agents and uses thereof

Coupled to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-channel complex is a strychnine-insensitive binding site for glycine. Pharmacological antagonism of glycine binding at this site can produce anticonvulsant activity. Derivatives of kynurenic acid, pyridine and 2-carboxy-indole were synthesized and evaluated as antagonists of glycine binding and for anticonvulsant effects. Compounds were tested in mice against seizures induced by electroshock and pentylenetetrazole, and in the rotorod assay for neurologic deficit. The derivatives were also assayed for binding at the NMDA-associated glycine site. The most potent anticonvulsant was ethyl 4-methylamino-5,7-dichloro-2-quinoline carboxylate. This compound provided protection against maximal electroshock (MES) induced seizures at a dose of 30 mg/kg. Other compounds were active at 100 mg/kg dose level, including 5-fluoro-2-indole carboxylic acid and the diethyl ester of 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid.