| abstract |
Compounds of formula (I) : prodrug derivatives and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, selectively inhibit the enzyme kynurenine aminotransferase, thereby reducing the synthesis of kynurenic acid. The compounds are used for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological diseases which benefit from an increase in glutamatergic and/or cholinergic neurotransmission, such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar illness, anxiety and Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, the compounds of the invention are useful for stimulating attention, memory and other cognitive processes in normal individuals of any age, including children, adolescents and the elderly. Additionally, the compounds of the invention are also useful for treatment of patients suffering from malaria by preventing parasite gametogenesis and fertility based on reduction of xanthurenic acid formation from its bioprecursor 3 -hydroxy kynurenine. |