MDL 105519 is an effective antagonist of glycine binding to the NMDA receptor.

MDL 105519 is approximately 10,000-fold selective for the glycine recognition site relative to the other receptor types investigated. MDL 105519 is an effective and selective ligand for the glycine recognition site that completely inhibit the binding of [3H]glycine to rat brain membranes (Ki: 10.9 nM). MDL 105519 inhibits NMDA-dependent responses, such as elevations of [3H]TCP binding in brain membranes, cyclic GMP accumulation in brain slices, and alterations in cytosolic Ca2+ and Na+-Ca2+ currents in cultured neurons. Its inhibition is non-competitive with respect to NMDA and could be nullified with D-serine.

MDL 105519 is an NMDA receptor antagonist in vivo. MDL 105519 (intravenously administration) prevents harmaline-stimulated increases in cerebellar cyclic GMP content, providing biochemical evidence of NMDA receptor antagonism in vivo. Anxiolytic activity is observed in the rat separation-induced vocalization model, but muscle-relaxant activity is apparent at lower doses. This antagonism is associated with anticonvulsant activity in genetically based, chemically induced, and electrically mediated seizure models. Higher doses impair rotorod performance but are without effect on mesolimbic dopamine turnover or prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex.