4-SULFONYL-SUBSTITUTED BENZOYLALANINE DERIVATES USEFUL AS KYNURENINE-AMINOTRANSFERASE INHIBITORS

摘要

The invention relates to compounds of formula (I), in which R, R' and R" are as defined in the disclosure and the pharmaceutically acceptable esters thereof. The compounds of the invention reduce the synthesis of kynurenic acid thus inhibiting the enzyme kynurenine aminotransferase and can be used for the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of those psychiatric and neurological diseases which benefit from an increase in glutamatergic and/or cholinergic neurotransmission, such as depression, bipolar illness, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease. Furthemore, 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.