Sarcosine is a GlyR agonist in addition to being a GlyT1 inhibitor and NMDAR co-agonist, but it is less potent than glycine as a GlyR agonist and is not a full agonist. The viability of the sarcosine-treated cells is significantly reduced.
In vivo
Sarcosine has weak anticonvulsant properties. It ameliorates (prepulse inhibition)PPI deficits in mGluR5 knockout mice.