Sarcosine

    Researchedby:
    Kamal Patel
    Last Updated: September 28, 2022

    Sarcosine is a product of glycine. It can be used as a cognitive enhancer and to treat schizophrenia.

    examine-databaseExamine Database

    Sarcosine is most often used for .

    183 participants in 4 trials

    Summary

    Sarcosine, also known as N-methylglycine, is a metabolite of glycine. It shares properties with both glycine and D-serine, though its effects are weaker.

    Sarcosine supplementation can be used to alleviate symptoms of depression and schizophrenia, or improve cognition. It is absorbed more reliably by the body than D-serine, which can also treat similar conditions.

    Sarcosine is being investigated for its connection to prostate cancer. It may be a biomarker for prostate cancer, which means that if sarcosine levels in the blood are higher than normal, it could be an indicator of prostate cancer. This doesn’t mean that sarcosine itself causes cancer. More research is needed to confirm this relationship.

    Sarcosine’s main mechanism involves inhibiting a transporter, called GlyT1, which takes up glycine and D-serine into cells. This increases the levels of glycine and D-serine in the body and increases their effects.

    It is unknown at this time if sarcosine supplementation is harmful. It may act as a co-carcinogen, meaning it doesn’t cause cancer, but increases the effects of other cancer-causing compounds.

    What are other names for Sarcosine

    Note that Sarcosine is also known as:
    • N-methylgycine
    • Methylglycine
    Sarcosine should not be confused with:

    Dosage information

    The standard sarcosine dose is 30mg/kg of bodyweight, which correlates to an approximate dosage range of 2,045 – 2,727mg for people between 150 – 200 lbs.

    Sarcosine is taken daily.

    Examine Database: Sarcosine

    Examine Database References

    1. Cognition - Lane HY, Lin CH, Huang YJ, Liao CH, Chang YC, Tsai GEA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison study of sarcosine (N-methylglycine) and D-serine add-on treatment for schizophreniaInt J Neuropsychopharmacol.(2010 May)
    2. Cognition - Tsai G, Lane HY, Yang P, Chong MY, Lange NGlycine transporter I inhibitor, N-methylglycine (sarcosine), added to antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophreniaBiol Psychiatry.(2004 Mar 1)
    3. Schizophrenia symptoms - Lane HY, Chang YC, Liu YC, Chiu CC, Tsai GESarcosine or D-serine add-on treatment for acute exacerbation of schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyArch Gen Psychiatry.(2005 Nov)
    4. Schizophrenia symptoms - Lane HY, Huang CL, Wu PL, Liu YC, Chang YC, Lin PY, Chen PW, Tsai GGlycine transporter I inhibitor, N-methylglycine (sarcosine), added to clozapine for the treatment of schizophreniaBiol Psychiatry.(2006 Sep 15)