Dimethylaminoethanol

Reference: Dimpfel W, Wedekind W, Keplinger I. Efficacy of dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) containing vitamin-mineral drug combination on EEG patterns in the presence of different emotional states. Eur J Med Res. 2003 May 30;8(5):183-91. PMID: 12844472

Summary: Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) is an organic compound that is related to choline. In fact, choline is thought to be produced when DMAE undergoes methylation in the brain. DMAE is also processed by the liver and a charged version of choline is produced which ultimately has no effect on brain function since it cannot pass the blood-brain barrier. DMAE is also a biochemical precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is one of the brain booster chemicals that is known to enhance mental acuity. This relationship has prompted much research into the effects of DMAE on vigilance, alertness and mood. (Other studies on the forefront will investigate phosphatidyl serine as it relates to the physiology of these states.) This study sought to investigate the impact of DMAE on different emotional states. A particular psychophysiological model was employed to induce a variety of emotional states. Film excerpts with various emotional contents were shown and EEG couplings were put in place. Readings of threshold emotional disturbance were taken and baseline comparative topography was established. Daily intake of a vitamin-mineral combination or a placebo combination was administered to subject groups over a period of 6-12 weeks. Grade of change and degree of statistical significance varied depending on the content of the excerpt, but the overall pattern of changes revealed itself to be the same. Previous investigations have shown that decreases in theta and alpha 1 electrical power are associated with increases in vigilance and attention. This result clearly correlates that subjects taking the vitamin-mineral combination were more active and felt better. Analysis of questionnaires produced emotion and mood profiles that revealed elevated mood for the active drug group. The results of this analysis ran parallel to the results garnered from EEG analysis. The overall results from this study lead to the conclusion the vitamin-mineral combination featuring DMAE is capable of inducing a better psychophysiological state, producing feelings of well being and calm as well as positive EEG readings in the subjects involved. These results are encouraging and further studies involving mood and memory supplements are planned.