The invention relates to BCAT inhibitor compounds of formula (I) and use thereof for treating or preventing neuronal loss associated with stroke, ischemia, CNS trauma, hypoglycemia and surgery, as well as treating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease and Down's syndrome, treating or preventing the adverse consequences of the overstimulation of the excitatory amino acids, treating anxiety, psychosis, convulsions, aminoglycoside antibiotics-induced hearing loss, migraine headache, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, Parkinson's disease, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, CMV retinitis, urinary incontinence, opioid tolerance or withdrawal, and inducing anesthesia, as well as for enhancing cognition.