Glycine substitutes and precursors for treating a psychosis

Abstract

Process for treating psychosis such as schizophrenia using glycine-site fall agonists or a precursor thereof.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A process for treating a human patient having a psychosis which comprises administering to said human a substitute for glycine at the glycine-site or a precursor of said substitute or a glycine precursor, in an amount sufficient to potentiate NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission.  
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the treatment increases the patient's glycine CNS level.  
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein, D-serine or D-alanine is administered.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein an amino acid, polypeptide or prodrug which functions as a precursor of glycine synthesis in the CNS is administered.  
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein an amino acid, polypeptide or prodrug which functions as a precursor of D-serine synthesis in the CNS is administered.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the psychosis is schizophrenia.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein a substitute for glycine is administered.  
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  wherein a precursor of a substitute for glycine is administered.