| DMAE
DMAE, or dimethylaminoethanol, is a compound found in high levels in anchovies and sardines. Small amounts of it are also naturally produced in the human brain. Health-food outlets sell it in capsule form to "boost brain power." It probably won't make you smarter, but some evidence suggests it may have benefits against the impulsive and disruptive behaviors caused by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It may also have a role in treating memory lapses and Alzheimer's disease, as well as some troubling movement disorders.
The supplement has an interesting history. Initially, drug makers were interested in selling the product as a medication for attention deficit disorder when studies in the 1970s showed that deanol, the chemical name for DMAE, reduced hyperactivity and improved concentration in schoolchildren with learning disabilities and behavior problems. However, when further testing was deemed too expensive, it was packaged as a nutritional supplement, since this substance is naturally found in fish.
Because it steps up production of brain chemicals essential for short-term memory, concentration, and learning capacity, DMAE may aid in the treatment of ADHD and other disorders affecting the brain and central nervous system.
DMAE is sometimes referred to as a "cholinergic" because it is thought to increase levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, one of the chemicals in the brain that enhances mental powers. "Cholinergic" drugs, such as tacrine (Cognex), are used to treat the dementia of Alzheimer's disease.
Cholinergic drugs are also sometimes prescribed to stabilize the debilitating movements brought on by tardive dyskinesia, a heartbreaking side effect of the antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia, and Huntington's chorea, an inherited condition that also causes memory loss. Researchers have tested DMAE for these conditions, although results of several small studies have been disappointing. Still, case reports continue to report some benefits for DMAE in certain individuals with these movement disorders. Any benefits, if present, may be due to a placebo effect or some unknown factor that makes certain people particularly responsive to the supplement.
Marketers have also trumpeted DMAE pills and creams for everything from prolonging life and enhancing athletic performance to ridding aging skin of "liver spots." However, there are no sound studies to support these claims. Moreover, there is no evidence that human beings can suffer from a deficiency of DMAE.
Specifically, DMAE may help to:
Relieve the inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although ADHD has long been recognized as a cause of disruptive behavior and learning difficulties in school-age children, doctors are increasingly coming to recognize it as a cause of problems in adults as well. Evidence suggests that DMAE may help.
Studies done in children in the 1970s form the basis for DMAE's role in treating ADHD. One trial assessed 50 hyperactive kids who would likely be diagnosed with ADHD based on current standards. After 10 weeks, DMAE produced improvements in behavior compared to a placebo. In another study, children with learning disabilities were given DMAE, the stimulant Ritalin (methylphenidate, the most commonly prescribed drug for ADHD), or a dummy pill. Those who were given either DMAE or Ritalin showed objective improvements on concentration and skills tests.
Some recent research points to deficits in short-term, or working, memory in both children and adults with ADHD (although long-term memory is fine in these patients). Some of DMAE's possible benefits for ADHD may therefore be due to its memory-boosting potential. Studies have yet to confirm this effect, however.
Slow the progressive dementia of Alzheimer's disease. The severe and progressive memory loss of Alzheimer's disease is due in part to the loss of brain cells that produce acetylcholine, a key chemical messenger for enhancing communication between brain cells. Acetylcholine is also essential for learning and memory. In fact, it's for these reasons that doctors routinely prescribe drugs that boost levels of acetylcholine, such as tacrine (Cognex), donepezil (Aricept), rivasatigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Reminyl).
In animal studies, DMAE supplements have led to significant improvements in short-term memory, possibly due to cholinergic effects. A number of small studies indicate that DMAE may have similar benefits for people with Alzheimer's.
Not all studies have been positive, however. In one trial, when researchers compared DMAE to a placebo in 27 Alzheimer's patients, the DMAE supplements provided no benefit. In fact, nearly half of the patients stopped taking DMAE due to unpleasant side effects such as drowsiness and increased confusion. Other research investigating whether DMAE is truly a precursor of acetylcholine has been mixed as well, calling into question the supplement's effectiveness for Alzheimer's and other memory disorders.
Improve memory. The possible memory-boosting effects of DMAE may help with the ordinary memory lapses that occur with normal aging. Many nutritionally oriented physicians prescribe DMAE along with another memory enhancer, the dietary supplement phosphatidylcholine. Although rigorous studies are lacking, some people who have tried DMAE report better memory (especially short-term memory), as well as improved concentration, focus, mental clarity, and sleep.
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Dosage Information
Special tips:
--Start slowly. DMAE can over-stimulate the nervous system and cause headaches, tense muscles, or insomnia, although these side effects are uncommon. Drowsiness has also been reported. Begin with a low dose and see how you respond before gradually increasing the amount you take. If side effects develop, stop taking the supplement for a day or two and begin at a lower dose.
--Effects are not immediate but should begin to be felt within several weeks.
--DMAE by itself is relatively inexpensive. It is, however, sometimes sold in costly "brain-boosting formulas" that contain other supplements such as phosphatidylserine (PS) or acetyl-L-carnitine; these additions may or may not be right for you but they will definitely increase the cost of the product.
--Tablets or capsules in doses of 50 mg, 100 mg, or 130 mg should not be hard to find. Pills containing 350 mg or more of DMAE bitartrate, which typically contain about 130 mg of "active" DMAE, are also available.
For ADHD: 100 to 300 mg, taken orally twice a day.
For memory problems or Alzheimer's: 100 to 300 mg, taken orally twice a day.
DMAE supplements won't work for everybody and are not intended as a cure. But they are safe and may be helpful.
Take DMAE with meals for best absorption.
To help jump-start your day, open the capsules and pour the contents into a smoothie or fruit juice as part of your morning routine.
Maximum safe dosages for children or for pregnant or nursing mothers have not been established.
There are no known drug or nutrient interactions associated with DMAE. Much remains to be learned about the risks associated with this supplement, however.
Most people taking DMAE do not experience side effects. However, isolated adverse reactions have cropped up in different studies.
Drowsiness, confusion, and high blood pressure have occurred in people with Alzheimer's who were taking this supplement, particularly when high doses were used.
DMAE can be over-stimulating for some people. Headaches, irritability, and tense muscles may result, including tightness in the jaw, neck, or shoulders.
Weight loss and insomnia may also occur. Lucid dreams have also been reported.
If you have epilepsy, a history of convulsions, or bipolar disorder (manic depression), avoid DMAE. It could make your condition worse.
Although DMAE may help produce brain chemicals needed for mental sharpness, drowsiness, and cognitive impairment have been reported in some people. See how it affects you before you drive or handle heavy machinery.
If you have kidney or liver disease, consult your doctor before taking DMAE. These conditions can affect levels of the supplement in your body.
If you develop unusual movement problems while taking DMAE, consult your doctor. One woman who took it for a hand tremor for 10 years developed the involuntary facial twisting movements of tardive dyskinesia. Symptoms diminished when she stopped taking DMAE.
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Dosage
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| ADHD |
100 to 300 mg daily, taken with meals, twice a day.
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| Memory Loss/Impairment |
100-300 mg a day in two doses, taken with meals
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| Skin Health |
Apply topically according to package instructions
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