Selective and irreversible inhibitors of neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase catalyzed production of nitric oxide are L-ornithine or L-lysine derivatives having the formula wherein Q is H or (CH2)rCH3 where r ranges from 0 to 15, x is 1 or 2, R'' is CH2 or C(H) (CH2)yCH3 where y ranges from 0 to 5, R' is CH2 or C(H) (CH2)zCH3 where z ranges from 0 to 5, R is H or (CH2)sCH3 where s ranges from 0 to 5, with none or only one of R, R' and R'' providing an alkyl substituent on ornithine or lysine moiety, RIII is OH or is an alkoxy group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or is an amino acid or peptide attached in amide linkage through its free alpha -amino group, and RIV is -H or an acyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or is an amino acid or peptide attached in amide linkage through its free alpha -carboxylate group, and mixtures thereof with corresponding D-isomers. A preferred compound is N5-(1-imino-3-butenyl)-L-ornithine. The compounds are useful for treatment of migraine headaches, stroke, pain due to stimulation of nNOS-containing neurons including chronic visceral pain, drug addiction, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and epilepsy.
L-N5-(1-imino-3-alkenyl) ornithine and related compounds and use thereof