Dean and Morgenthaler's book, "Smart Drugs and Nutrients" reports the following effects for DMAE: mood elevation, improvement of memory and learning, intelligence increases, and increases in the life span of laboratory animals.

DMAE enhances memory and intelligence. It is a source of choline for the production of acetylcholine in the brain. DMAE is a naturally-occurring nutrient found in seafood such as anchovies and sardines.

When 500 mg of DMAE was given to 74 children with learning problems, including many who were hyperactive. These subjects were screened for neurological or psychiatric illnesses beforehand. DMAE was given in a double-blind fashion for 3 months. Testing was done before and after treatment for behavior, reaction time, and a series of standard psychometric parameters. Not only was there significant improvement overall but DMAE was shown to improve performance in children with learning and behavior disorders.

Precautions: Overdosage can produce insomnia, dull headaches, or tenseness in muscles (especially those of the jaws, neck, and legs). These side effects disappear if the dosage is lowered slightly. No serious adverse effects have ever been reported with DMAE. Patients with certain types of epilepsy should be closely monitored by a physician. DMAE should not be used by people who are manic because it can deepen the depressive phase.

Dosage: DMAE is used initially at low dosages, with a gradual buildup to 500 mg or 1000 mg per day. This refers to pure DMAE and not DMAE bitartrate, which contains only a percentage of DMAE. In some cases, lower dosages can result in a good response. DMAE can take as long as three weeks to take effect.

Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine (NE) is another neurotransmitter involved with thought and memory. It is the chemical messenger that plays an important role in mental functioning. It seems to be specifically involved with long-term memory. A decrease in norepinephrine also produces a corresponding decrease in mental acuity or mental sharpness.

Phosphatidlyserine (PS)
Evidence indicates that phosphatidlyserine helps improve memory and prevent age-related memory loss. It actually resides in brain cell membranes where it activates the release of acetylcholine and enhances the transmission of nerve messages between brain cells.
According to Parris M. Kidd, PhD, oral supplementation with PS benefits cognitive functions, particularly in adults of mature years. Some 23 human studies are available on PS. Most involved subjects who had experienced measurable losses in memory, judgment, abstract thought and other higher mental functions and sometimes changes in personality and behavior. The PS dose was usually 100 mg. three times daily, initially.

Eleven double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials conducted with PS in the U.S. and Europe, indicate subjects were significantly improved on: learning names, faces; recalling names, faces; recalling phone numbers; recalling misplaced objects; paragraph recall; ability to concentrate. Benefits persisted at least 4 weeks after PS was discontinued. For name-face acquisition, PS "rolled back the clock" by about roughly 12 years; from an average "cognitive age" of 64 to a cognitive age of 52. In other clinical trials, PS benefited subjects with nerve transmitter deficiencies, mood disorders and disturbances of their 24-hour daily "clock"-the circadian rhythm. (Alt Med Rev 1996;1(2):70-84)

AMINO ACIDS
Amino acids are important protein constituents that serve as precursors for neurotransmitters and enzymes, and as membrane stabilizers.

L-Pyroglutamic Acid is a remarkable partner to acetylcholine, which may have benefits for memory function. It has also been associated with increased release of GABA, a key calming neurotransmitter made and used in the brain. L-Pyroglutamic Acid is a natural amino acid found in many foods, and it passes the "Brain-Blood Barrier" easily.

Glutamine is the precursor for GABA manufacture in the brain, and it helps prevent excess amounts of ammonia from damaging the brain.

Tyrosine is a precursor for Noradrenaline and Dopamine, two of the main neurotransmitters which elevate mood, promote alertness, and increase arousal and motivation.

L-Phenylalanine is a precursor for Tyrosine, and can also be converted to PEA-Phenlethylamine, a psycho-energizer naturally produced by the brain. Scientists believe that the PEA found in chocolate is what makes people like it so much. NOTE: 1 in 15,000 people cannot metabolize phenylalanine, this inability is called phenylketonuria. These people should not take phenylalanine.

L-cysteine
Cysteine is a sulfur-containing, antioxidant amino acid. It is especially good at protecting the sensitive cellular membranes of the brain from free radical damage. It also protects the brain from damage due to alcohol and cigarette smoke and is a general stimulant to the immune system.
Note: The letter L in front of the names of amino acids indicates the natural form as found in nature rather than being synthetic. The L forms are more biologically active.

L-glutamine
Glutamic acid is the brain's backup or emergency source of energy. Glucose is the brain's primary source of energy. Whenever glucose is in short supply, the brain utilizes glutamic acid to keep things going. However, glutamine is the ingredient added to the brain/mind formulas, not glutamic acid. Glutamine is much more effective at getting across the blood-brain barrier than glutamic acid. Once in the brain, glutamine is converted into glutamic acid. L-glutamine has also been effective in increasing the I.Q.s of mentally deficient children. L-glutamine is also the precursor for the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).

L-methionine
Methionine is another sulfur-containing, antioxidant amino acid that protects brain cells from damage. Methionine also prevents toxic heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium from accumulating in and damaging the brain. It plays an essential role in the production of neurotransmitters and energy production.

Taurine
Taurine is major stabilizing ingredient of brain cell membranes, keeping electrical currents from spreading out of control throughout the brain.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Chromium
Chromium is essential for the metabolism of glucose and the production of energy.

Folic Acid
Folic Acid is selectively concentrated in the brain and spinal fluid and is essential to the functioning of the brain.

Inositol
Inositol is a membrane stabilizer found in high concentrations in the cellular tissue of the brain. It reportedly promotes an anti-anxiety or calming effect.

Magnesium
Magnesium, in particular, seems to have a profound effect on dementias of various types. Dr. J. Leslie Glick of the Bionix Corporation reviewed the effects of 1000mg of magnesium in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. He reports that magnesium in these doses "may improve memory and alleviate other symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's". Magnesium has been reported to enhance cognitive abilities. Additionally, causes vascular dilation and is known to have anti-anxiety effects.

Potassium
Potassium is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses. It is highly active in the tissues of the brain and nervous system.

Selenium
Selenium is one of the most important nutritional discoveries of the twentieth century. It is a nutrient that no individual can afford to overlook. Every one of the sixty trillion cells in your body needs a small amount of selenium in order to be protected and function properly. Toxic metals affect the brain and nervous system before they affect the other organs of the body, just as many nutritional deficiencies do. Selenium is one of the most powerful detoxifiers of poisonous heavy metals.

Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine)
Thiamine is essential for the health of brain and nerve tissue. It is also involved in the chemical reactions that cause the release of acetylcholine in the brain.

Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
Riboflavin functions as an antioxidant cofactor, taking part in the antioxidant reactions involving both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase.

Vitamin B-3 (Niacin)
A deficiency of niacin produces memory failure. It functions in over fifty metabolic reactions, especially those producing energy. Niacin has two forms, nicotinic acid and niacinamide. Either or both forms can be utilized in nutritional formulations.

Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B-5 acts as an antioxidant. It is also required for the conversion of choline to acetylcholine.

Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B-6 acts as an antioxidant. It is required for the conversion of amino acids into neurotransmitters in the brain. For example, the conversion of phenylalanine to norepinephrine requires Vitamin B-6.

Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B-12 is a coenzyme that is particularly important in the brain and nerve tissues. It is necessary for the synthesis of DNA and RNA; it enhances the action of Vitamin C and several amino acids; and it is required to build the walls of brain cells.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C is a major antioxidant. It is precursor for the production of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin. For example, the production of norepinephrine has been shown to be severely inhibited in Vitamin C-deficient subjects.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful lipid membrane antioxidant that protects brain cells from free radical damage.

Zinc
The brain contains substantial concentrations of zinc.
It is a necessary cofactor in over twenty different enzymatic reactions and is essential for the production of the antioxidant enzyme SOD. It also helps prevent the accumulation of lead that is toxic to the brain.

Important Disclaimer- Please Read This: The following information in this web site is not intended to provide any type of professional advice nor diagnostic service. If you have any concerns about ADHD or other health issues, please consult a qualified health care professional in your community.