Materials and methods for treatment of neurological disorders involving overactivation of glutamatergic ionotropic receptors

Abstract

The subject invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions, articles of manufacture, and methods useful for treatment of neurological conditions related to, or which can be affected by, modulation of glutamate receptor (GluR) activity. The treatment can be either prophylactic in nature or to alleviate symptoms of such neurological conditions. The pharmaceutical compositions of the subject invention include an aromatic amino acid (AAA), an analog or isomer of an AAA, or combinations thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Methods of the subject invention involve parenterally administering to a patient at least one AAA, an analog or isomer of an AAA, or combinations thereof.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for modulating the activity of a glutamate receptor comprising contacting an aromatic amino acid, isomer, or analog thereof, with said receptor, wherein said aromatic amino acid, isomer, or analog thereof, modulates the activity of said receptor.  
     
     
         2 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said aromatic amino acid, isomer, or analog thereof, stimulates the activity of said glutamate receptor.  
     
     
         3 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said aromatic amino acid, isomer, or analog thereof, inhibits the activity of said glutamate receptor.  
     
     
         4 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said glutamate receptor is an ionotropic glutamate receptor.  
     
     
         5 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said glutamate receptor is an metabotropic glutamate receptor.  
     
     
         6 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said aromatic amino acid, isomer, or analog thereof is contacted with said receptor in vitro.  
     
     
         7 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said aromatic amino acid, isomer, or analog thereof is contacted with said receptor in vivo.  
     
     
         8 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said aromatic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan, and L-phenylalanine.  
     
     
         9 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein a mixture of said aromatic amino acid and said isomer is contacted with said receptor, and wherein said mixture comprises a levorotatory aromatic amino acid and a dextrorotatory aromatic amino acid.