A composition for preventing in mammals the progressive exacerbation of symptoms associated with neurodegeneratlve disorders characterized by abnormal glutamate metabolism, elevated levels of peripheral glutamate or altered glutamate receptor characteristics includes amino acids that are effective in retarding the development of symptoms associated with neurodegenerative disorders, presumably by activating the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase. In the preferred embodiment, the branched chain amino acids L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine are disclosed as effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AMINO ACIDS IN THE TREATMENT OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS