Motor behavior critically depends on glutamatergic functions in the ba
sal ganglia (BG). The dorsal and ventral striatum - the main input str
uctures of the BG - are involved in modulation of stereotyped sniffing
behavior, locomotion, catalepsy and prepulse inhibition. The effects
of the NMDA receptor have been well characterized in respect to motor
behavior in the past. The function of the allosteric glycine site was
however disregarded until now, because brain penetrating ligands were
missing. The present study summarized the motor behavioral profile of
several glycine site ligands (7-chlorokynurenate, ACEA 1021, MRZ-2/576
, (+) HA-966, D-cycloserine and felbamate). It is shown that through b
lockade of the glycine site of the NMDA receptor a distinct behavioral
profile can be obtained.