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Can’t Find Sarcasm, It May be Dementia

A human brain showing frontotemporal lobar deg...
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Sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit, but Australian scientists are using it to diagnose dementia, according to research published.

Researchers at the University of New South Wales found that patients under the age of 65 suffering from frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the second most common form of dementia, cannot detect when someone is being sarcastic.

The study, described by its authors as groundbreaking, helps explain why patients with the condition behave the way they do and why, for example, they are unable to pick up their caregivers’ moods, the research showed.

“This is significant because if care-givers are angry, sad or depressed, the patient won’t pick this up. It is often very upsetting for family members,” said John Hodges, the senior author of the paper published in Brain.

“(FTD) patients present changes in personality and behaviour. They find it difficult to interact with people, they don’t pick up on social cues, they lack empathy, they make bad judgements,” he said. “People with FTD become very gullible and they often part with large amounts of money,” he said, adding that one in 4,000 people around the world are afflicted with the condition.

Researchers began studying the role of sarcasm in detecting FTD because it requires a patient to spot discrepancies between a person’s words and the tone of their voice, Hodges said.

“One of the things about FTD patients is that they don’t detect humour — they are very bad at double meaning and a lot of humour (other than sarcasm) is based on double meaning,” he said.

The research, conducted in 2006-07, put 26 sufferers of FTD and 19 Alzheimer’s patients through a test in which actors acted out different scenarios using exactly the same words. While in one scenario, the actors would deliver the lines sincerely, in others they would introduce a thick layer of sarcasm. Patients were then asked if they got the joke, Hodges said.

Sources: The Times Of India

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Aluminium Toxity

Introduction:
While aluminum is not a heavy metal, it has been found to be toxic. Because aluminum permeates our air,water, and soil, small amounts are present in our food. The average person consumes between three and ten milligrams of aluminum a day. Only recently has research revealed that aluminum is absorbed and accumulated in the body. Aluminum is a popular metal used to make cookware, cooking utensils, and foil. Excessive use of antacids is the most common cause of aluminum toxicity. Mylanta, Maalox, Glusil, Amphojel, and many others have a high aluminum hydroxide content. Many over-the-counter drugs used for inflammation and pain contain aluminum, including Arthritis Pain Formula, Ascriptin, Bufferin, and Vanquish. Several douche preparations, including Massengil and Summer’s Eve, contain aluminum. It is also an additive in most baking powders and is sometimes evident in drinking water.

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The highest exposure to aluminum is most frequently due to the chronic consumption of aluminum-containing antacid products. Research shows that aluminum builds up in the body over time; thus, the health hazard to older people is greater.

Concentrations of aluminum that are toxic to many biochemical processes are found in at least ten human neurological conditions.

Recent studies suggest that aluminum contributes to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, senile and presenile dementia, clumsiness of movements, staggering when walking, and inability to pronounce words properly.

Behavioral difficulties among schoolchildren have also been correlated with elevated levels of aluminum and other neurotoxic heavy metals.

Symptoms: Flatulence, headaches, dry skin, weak and aching muscles, senility, spleen pain, stomach pain, liver dysfunction, kidney dysfunction, neuromuscular disorders, osteomalacia, colitis, anemia, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hemolysis, leukocytosis, porphyria, heartburn, memory loss, numbness, paralysis, Parkinson’s disease, excessive perspiration, leg twitching, cavities, colds, behavioral problems, constipation .

Many symptoms of aluminum toxicity are similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. Aluminum toxicity can lead to colic, rickets, gastro-intestinal disturbances, poor calcium metabolism, extreme nervousness, anemia, headache, decreased liver and kidney function, forgetfulness, speech disturbances,and memory loss, softening of the bones, and weak, aching muscles. Research suggests that a chronic calcium deficiency may change the way in which the body uses minerals. Bone loss and increased intestinal absorption of aluminum and silicon combine to form compounds that accumulate in the cerebral cortex of the brain. These compounds prevent impulses from being carried to or from the brain.

An accumulation of aluminum salts in the brain has been implicated in seizures and reduced mental faculties. Autopsies performed on Alzheimer’s victims revealed that four times the normal amount of aluminum had accumulated in the nerve cells in the brain. This suggests that long-term accumulation of aluminum in the brain may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, an unidentified protein not found in normal brain tissue has been discovered in the the brain tissue of Alzheimer’s victims.

Because aluminum is excreted by the kidneys, toxic amount of aluminum may impair kidney function. Working in aluminum smelting plants for long periods can lead to dizziness, impaired coordination, and losses of balance and energy. Accumulations of aluminum in the brain was cited as a possible cause for these symptoms as well.

Aluminum is excreted by the kidneys, therefore toxic amounts can impair kidney function. Aluminum can also accumulate in the brain causing seizures and reduced mental alertness. The brain is normally protected by a blood-brain barrier, which filters the blood before it reaches it. Elemental aluminum does not pass easily through this barrier, but certain compounds contained within aluminum, such as aluminum fluoride do. Interestingly, many municipal water supplies are treated with both aluminum sulfate and aluminum fluoride. These two chemicals can also combine easily in the blood. Aluminum fluoride is also poorly excreted in the urine.

When there is a high level of absorption of aluminum and silicon, the combination can result in an accumulation of certain compounds in the cerebral cortex and can prevent nerve impulses being carried to and from the brain properly. Long term calcium deficiency can further aggravate the condition. Workers in aluminum smelting plants on a long term basis, have been know to experience dizziness, poor coordination, balance problems and tiredness. It has been claimed that the accumulation of aluminum in the brain could be a possible cause for these issues.

It is estimated that the normal person takes in between 3 and 10 milligrams of aluminum per day. Aluminum is the most abundant metallic element produced by the earth. It can be absorbed into the body through the digestive tract, the lungs and the skin, and is also absorbed by and accumulates in the bodies tissues. Aluminum is found naturally in our air, water and soil. It is also used in the process of making cooking pots and pans, utensils and foil. Other items such as over the counter pain killers, anti-inflammatory products, and douche preparations can also contain aluminum. Aluminum is also an additive in most baking powders, is used in food processing, and is present in antiperspirants, toothpaste, dental amalgams, bleached flour, grated cheese, table salt, and beer, (especially when the beer is in aluminum cans). The biggest source of aluminum, however, comes from our municipal water supplies.

Excessive use of antacids is also a common cause of aluminum toxicity in this country, especially for those who have kidney problems. Many over the counter type antacids contain amounts of aluminum hydroxide that may be to much for the kidneys to handle properly.

In addition to aluminum cookware, foil, antacids, baking powders, buffered aspirin, and most city water,aluminum is also used in food processing (pickles and relishes, in particular), antiperspirants, deodorants, beer (especially when in aluminum cans), bleached flour, table salt, tobacco smoke, cram of tartar, Parmesan and grated cheeses, aluminum salts, douches, and canned goods.

Those who enjoy fast foods should be aware that processed cheese has a high aluminum content. The food product having perhaps the highest aluminum content is the cheeseburger. This mineral is added to give processed cheese its melting quality for use on hamburgers.

Sources: Aluminum foil, antacids, aspirin, dust, auto exhaust, treated water, vanilla powder, nasal spray, milk products, salt, commercially-raised beef, tobacco smoke, anti-perspirants, bleached flour, cans, animal feed, ceramics, commercial cheese.

Supplument Helpful.

*Calcium(1,500 mg daily) in the chelate form with magnesium.(750mg daily)………This chelating agent binds with aluminum and eliminates it from the body.

*Garlic tablets(kyolic)… 2 capsules 3 times daily…….. Acts as a detoxifier.
*Kelp….. 6 tablets daily………. has a balanced mineral content. Acts as a detoxifier of excess metals.
*Lecithin…. 2 tbsp. 3 times daily with meals….. Aids in healing of the brain (and other cell membranes).

*Multivitamin and mineral complex (high potency, hypoallergenic).. As directed on label… Basic in stabilizing vitamin and mineral imbalance in toxic conditions.
*Vitamin B complex plus vitamin B6(pyroxidine) and B12 lozenges or B12 injections …100 mg 3 times daily and 50 mg 3 times daily. But Injections under doctor’s recommendation and supervision only…..The B vitamins, especially B6, are important in ridding the intestinal tract of excess metals in in removing them from the body.

So, what can we do to prevent aluminum toxicity from happening to ourselves and our families?

1. Eat a diet that is high in fiber and includes apple pectin.
2. Use stainless steel, glass, or iron cookware. Stainless steel is the best choice.
3. Beware of any product containing aluminum or dihydroxyaluminum.
4. A hair analysis can be used to determine levels of aluminum in the body.
5. Research has shown that the longer you cook food in aluminum pots, the more they corrode, and the more aluminum is absorbed into the food and hence into the body. Aluminum is more readily dissolved by acid forming foods, such as coffee, cheese, meat, black and green tea, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, turnips, spinach and radishes.
6. Acid rain leeches aluminum out of the soil and into drinking water.

Recommendations
*Make sure that your diet is high in fiber and contains apple pectin.
*Use glass, iron, or stainless steel cookware. There is still much controversy as to whether aluminum collects in the neurons as a result of a dysfunctions of the neurons or if it actually causes the dysfunction of the neurons. It is best to avoid aluminum as much as possible!
*Beware of products containing aluminum. Read the labels and avoid those that contain aluminum, bentonite, or dihydorxyaluminum.

Considerations
If you use chelation therapy, use oral chelating agents only. Aluminum cannot be chelated out of the body, but it can be displaced or moved.

YOU can reduce excess aluminum in the body with the herbs like Apple pectin, Norwegian kelp, coral calcium and trace minerals, high-potency garlic extract.
Click to see the recent Tesearch Papers on Alzimers due to Aluminium Toxity

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose

Resources:
http://www.relfe.com/Chelation%20by%20Suppository/aluminum_toxicity.htm
http://www.vitawise.com/Nutritional_Healing/aluminum%20toxicity.htm
http://herbnews.org/aluminumdone.htm
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art7739.asp

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Epilepsy and Some of its Causes

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Up to 10% of people will suffer a seizure at some point, but not all of them have epilepsy. Epilepsy is a term reserved for those who suffer repeatedly from seizures.

Epilepsy is a nervous system condition that causes electrical signals in the brain to misfire. These disruptions cause temporary communication problems between nerve cells, leading to seizures. One seizure is not considered epilepsy — kids with epilepsy have multiple seizures over a period of time.

Epileptic seizure-

Anything that disrupts the normal pattern of brain activity can trigger the condition. A specific cause can be identified in only about 30% of people with epilepsy.

COMMON CAUSES

* Head trauma

* A lack of oxygen during birth

* Infections such as meningitis

* Stroke

* Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative brain disorders

* Brain tumors and other abnormalities in the brain‘s structure

* An imbalance of neurotransmitters or other chemical functions in the brain

In about half the cases of epilepsy, there is an identifiable cause. These include:

* infectious illness (such as meningitis or encephalitis)
* brain malformation during pregnancy
* trauma to the brain (including lack of oxygen) during birth or an accident
* underlying metabolic disorders
* brain tumors
* blood vessel malformation
* strokes
* chromosome disorders

The other half of epilepsy cases are idiopathic (the cause is unknown). In some of these, there may be a family history of epilepsy — a child who has a parent or other close family member with the condition is more likely to have it too. Researchers are working to determine what specific genetic factors are responsible.

Sources: Los Angles Times & http://www.charliebrewersworld.com/page4.htm

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Suppliments our body needs

Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE)

chemical structure of dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE)
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Definition:
Dimethylaminoethenol (DMAE) is a metabolite, a product produced by the body’s metabolic process of procaine. It is a central nervous system stimulant that has a mild impact. It’s effect is similar to an amphetamine, but it is not such a drug. The term DMAE is actually an abbreviation for dimethylaminoethanol, a naturally occurring chemical produced by the human brain. It is a choline molecule that has one methyl group missing from the nitrogen, and it may be for this reason that it can cross the blood-brain barrier more easily than choline. While choline is known to be the precursor of acetylcholine, a recognized neurotransmitter, DMAE may prove to offer a more direct approach to this function by moving into the brain, being acted on by an enzyme (methylation), and thereby undergoing conversion into choline directly where it is needed.

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Although free-radicals are a natural result of the human body’s activity, the human equilibrium may be upset because of modern diet and environmental conditions that add further stressors to the system. These conditions cause a need for additional antioxidants in order for the body to cope with industrialized life. Antioxidants seem to reinforce one another, and for this reason it seems prudent to combine the use of several rather than to rely on only one type.

Dimethylaminoethanol, also known as DMAE or dimethylethanolamine, is an organic compound. This compound also goes by the names of N,N-dimethyl-2-aminoethanol, beta-dimethylaminoethyl alcohol, beta-hydroxyethyldimethylamine and Deanol. It is a liquid with a color that ranges from clear to pale yellow.

DMAE is known chemically as dimethyl-amino-ethanol. DMAE has been known in Europe by the product name Deanol for more than three decades. DMAE has two methyl groups and is chemically similar to choline. DMAE has been popular for many years in those interested in improving mental alertness and clarity of thinking.

Industrial uses
Dimethylaminoethanol is used as a curing agent for polyurethanes and epoxy resins. It is also used in mass quantities for water treatment, and to some extent in the coatings industry. It is used in the synthesis of dyestuffs, textile auxiliaries, pharmaceuticals, emulsifiers, and corrosion inhibitors. It is also an additive to paint removers, boiler water and amino resins.

Biochemical precursor
Dimethylaminoethanol is related to choline and is a biochemical precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and found naturally in fish like sardines and anchovies. It is reported to have nootropic effects, although research on this chemical has found both positive and negative potential results.

It is believed that dimethylaminoethanol is methylated to produce choline in the brain[1]. It is known that dimethylaminoethanol is processed by the liver into choline; however, the choline molecule is charged and cannot pass the blood-brain barrier.

Research
Short term studies have shown an increase in vigilance and alertness, with a positive influence on mood. Long term studies are equivocal. Some showed dimethylaminoethanol to increase the lifespan of animals in which it was tested, while others indicate a possible reduction in the average life span of quail.  With the uncertainty of whether this could be extrapolated to humans, dimethylaminoethanol supplementation is not generally recommended. It is possible that dose is a major determining factor in the overall effects of dimethylaminoethanol – a high dose could produce effects opposite to those sought and contribute to life-shortening.

DMAE Research for Alzheimer’s, memory loss, age related mental decline
Studies with DMAE go back to the 1950s. One double blind, placebo-controlled trial performed in twenty-seven patients with severe Alzheimer’s disease did not show significant benefits (Fisman 1981). Another study on twenty-one patients with memory deficits was also discouraging since no improvement was found in memory (Caffarra 1980). However, DMAE was found helpful in patients with age related mental decline. DMAE was given for four weeks to fourteen older patients (Ferris 1977). Ten patients improved and four were unchanged. The patients on DMAE had reduced depression, less anxiety, and increased motivation, but they had no improvement in memory. The researchers say, “the results thus suggest that although DMAE may not improve memory, it may produce positive behavioral changes in some senile patients.” Dementia is a term that is now substituted for senility and is sometimes used to denote a severe case of age related cognitive decline.

DMAE has been touted as an anti-aging nutrient but there have not been any human studies evaluating the claim that DMAE slows aging.

DMAE Positive effects – Benefit of DMAE – DMAE Enhances Mood and Alertness
Most people notice being more alert and focused within a couple of hours after taking DMAE. The DMAE benefit of alertness and focus can last most of the day. A few report a higher sense of wellbeing. DMAE is recommended to be taken in the early part of the day. I also like the mind boosting effect of Acetyl-l-carnitine, but my favorite is a combination of several nutrients and herbs, including DMAE bitartrate, found in Mind Power Rx.

There are dozens of herbs and nutrients available in health food stores that influence mental function. One that has been popular for many years is DMAE, which stands for dimethyl-amino-ethanol. A recent German study evaluated the brain’s electrical reaction during presentation of videoclips of 7 minute duration in 80 subjects with borderline emotional disturbance. The researchers recorded the different emotional states by having the subjects watch these film excerpts. Half of the subjects were then started on a daily dose of DMAE and the testing was repeated after 6 and 12 weeks. The testing included showing the videoclips, filling out mood questionnaires, and also evaluating the brain’s electrical reaction through EEGs (electrodes placed on the scalp that measure brain activity) . The results showed that those who took the DMAE daily had a decrease in theta and alpha1 brain electrical activity indicating that they were more alert. Furthermore, the questionnaires revealed that those on DMAE had a better mood. The researchers conclude, “DMAE can be interpreted to induce a psychophysiological state of better feeling of wellbeing on both levels of analysis mood and electrical pattern of brain activity in subjects suffering from borderline emotional disturbance.”

Dr Sahelian says: Most people notice being more alert and focused within a couple of hours after taking DMAE. DMAE is available in dosages ranging from 100 to 400 mg. It is best to start with a low dose, such as 50 to 150 mg of actual DMAE since high doses can cause anxiety, restlessness, and muscle tenseness in the neck and shoulders. DMAE taken late in the day may cause insomnia.

Efficacy of dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) containing vitamin-mineral drug combination on EEG patterns in the presence of different emotional states. Dimpfel W. Forschung und Entwicklung -, Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 9, D-35440 Linden, Germany. Eur J Med Res. 2003 May 30;8(5):183-91.

The psychophysiological model of provoking different emotional states by watching film excerpts with various emotional contents was used to characterize drug action in 80 subjects (male /f emale = 50%) with threshold emotional disturbance within a randomized, group-parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Analyzing the brain’s electrical reaction during presentation of 5 videoclips of 7 min duration followed by 3 minutes pause revealed a content specific representation of topographical frequency changes. This procedure was repeated after 6 and 12 weeks of daily intake of a vitamin-mineral drug combination containing dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) or placebo. Subjects taking DMAE supplement for 3 months developed significant less theta and alpha1 power in sensomotoric areas of the cortex. Since decreases in theta and alpha1 electrical power have been associated with increased vigilance and attention, subjects taking DMAE combination obviously were more active and felt better. Therefore the vitamin-mineral combination containing DMAE can be interpreted to induce a psychophysiological state of better feeling of wellbeing on both levels of analysis mood and electrical pattern of brain activity in subjects suffering from borderline emotional disturbance.

DMAE Side effects
DMAE is available in varying dosages. It is best to start with a low dose, such as 50 to 150 mg of actual DMAE to avoid DMAE side effects. High doses can cause anxiety, restlessness, and muscle tenseness or stiffness in the neck, jaw, and shoulders. DMAE taken late in the day may cause insomnia. Other DMAE side effects on high dosages include irritability, headache, and overstimulation.

DMAE Availability
DMAE is usually sold by the name of DMAE bitartrate. A 350 mg pill of DMAE bitartrate yields 130 mg of actual DMAE. It is also available as DMAE liquid. One product contains 35 mg of DMAE per drop. Most users notice an effect from 50 to 150 mg of actual DMAE or 150 to 350 mg of DMAE bitartrate.

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DMAE Summary
DMAE can be helpful in the elderly who have cognitive decline. This nutrient can also be taken by an adult of any age who needs to be more focused and alert.

DMAE and Skin
A recent study shows DMAE cream is able to increase firmness of skin. Perhaps DMAE cream has anti-wrinkle potential. See below for the abstract.

The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology.
Am J Clin Dermatol. 2005;6(1):39-47. Grossman R.
Johnson and Johnson Consumer Products Worldwide, Skillman, NJ 08558
Skincare formulations for the improvement of aging skin are increasingly important consumer products. Here, we review available data on one such agent – 2-dimethylaminoethanol ( DMAE ) or deanol – that has recently been evaluated in a placebo-controlled trial. DMAE is an analog of the B vitamin choline and is a precursor of acetylcholine. Although the role of acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter is well known, growing evidence points to acetylcholine as a ubiquitous cytokine-like molecule that regulates basic cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, locomotion, and secretion in a paracrine and autocrine fashion. Indeed, this modulatory role may contribute to the cutaneous activity of DMAE. In a randomized clinical study, 3% DMAE facial gel applied daily for 16 weeks has been shown to be safe and efficacious in the mitigation of forehead lines and periorbital fine wrinkles, and in improving lip shape and fullness and the overall appearance of aging skin. Conclusions: Thus, the benefits of DMAE in dermatology include a potential anti-inflammatory effect and a documented increase in skin firmness with possible improvement in underlying facial muscle tone. Studies are needed to evaluate the relative efficacy of DMAE compared with other skin-care regimens (e.g., topical antioxidant creams, alpha-hydroxy acids).

Split face study on the cutaneous tensile effect of 2-dimethylaminoethanol (dmae) gel.
Skin Res Technol 2002 Aug;8(3):164-7
Beyond subjective assessments, the effect of skin tensors is difficult to assess. The present 2-phase randomized double-blind split face study was designed to compare the effect of a gel containing 3% 2-dimethylaminoethanol (deanol, DMAE) with the same formulation without DMAE. METHODS: In a first pilot study, sensorial assessments and measures of the skin distension under suction were performed in eight volunteers. In a second study conducted in 30 volunteers, shear wave propagation was measured. RESULTS: Large interindividual variations precluded any significant finding in the first study. The DMAE formulation showed, however, a significant effect characterized by increased shear wave velocity in the direction where the mechanical anisotropy of skin showed looseness. The DMAE formulation under investigation increased skin firmness.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethylethanolamine
http://www.raysahelian.com/dmae.html
http://www.dmae.org/

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Vinpocetine

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Definition:
Vinpocetine (pronounced vin-poe-ce-teen) is a synthetic compound derived from vincamine, a substance found naturally in the leaves of the lesser periwinkle plant (Vinca minor). Vinpocetine was developed in the late 1960s.

Vinpocetine (brand names: Cavinton, Intelectol; chemical name: ethyl apovincaminate) is a semisynthetic derivative alkaloid of vincamine (sometimes described as “a synthetic ethyl ester of apovincamine”), an extract from the periwinkle (plant) Vinca minor.

Vinpocetine is reported to have cerebral blood-flow enhancing and neuroprotective effects, and is used as a drug in Eastern Europe for the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders and age-related memory impairment.

Vinpocetine is widely marketed as a supplement for vasodilation and as a nootropic for the improvement of memory. There exists anecdotal report of uncomfortable adverse reactions to vinpocetine in a small subset of users. A low initial dosage is often recommended.

Vinpocetine is available as a prescription drug in Europe and Japan. In the the United States and Canada. It is sold in health food stores and online as a dietary supplement.

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Possible Nootropic Properties
A number of studies on healthy volunteers have demonstrated vinpocetine may elicit improvement on some aspects of memory. The degree which the nootropic effects of vinpocetine are mediated by mechanisms beyond vasodilation is currently unknown.

 

Mechanism of Action:
Vinpocetine has been shown to selectively inhibit voltage-sensitive Na+ channels, resulting in a dose-dependent decrease in evoked extracellular Ca+ ions in striatal nerve endings. The Na+ channel inhibiting properties of vinpocetine are thought to contribute to a general neuroprotective effect through blockade of excitotoxicity and attenuation of neuronal damage induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.

Vinpocetine is also a phosphodiesterase (PDE) type-1 inhibitor, (with an IC50 of approximately 10-5 M.) leading to increases in intracellular levels of cyclic guanosine 3’5′-monophosphate (cGMP), an action that has been attributed to the vasorelaxant effects of vinpocetine on cerebral smooth muscle tissue.

Increases in neuronal levels of DOPAC, a metabolic breakdown product of dopamine, have been shown to occur in striatal isolated nerve endings as a result of exposure to vinpocetine. Such an effect is consistent with the biogenic pharmacology of reserpine, a structural relative of vinpocetine, which depletes catecholamine levels and may cause depression as a side-effect of the cardiovascular and anti-psychotic effects.

Use Of Vinpocetine:
Vinpocetine widely used in the body building community as an antivasoconstrictor. However, no studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of vinpocetine on performance enhancement during exercise

Vinpocetine is naturally occurring from the plant Crioceras Longiflorus and also can be obtained from Vincamine.

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Vinpocetine derived from Tabersonine, an alkaloid extracted from seeds of the Voacana tree that is native to West Africa.

Vinpocetine is a cerebral metabolic activator and a neuronal protector. Clinical studies indicate that vinpocetine helps increase blood flow; cerebral vasodilation produces an immediate increase in the cerebral oxygenation and this results finally in the activation of the cerebral metabolism, the increase of glucose and the improvement of certain neurotransmitters´utilization . Another benefit that has been observed by using vinpocetine is its neuronal protection effects which increase resistance of the brain to hypoxia and ischemia , reduce platelet aggregation, and improve red blood cells deformability allowing oxygen to feed neurons through microcapillaries . Evidence also shows that Vinpocetine has antioxidant properties.
The are more than 100 clinical studies on Vinpocetine performed on over 30,000 patients proving its safety and effectiveness. Vinpocetine has many different effects of varying importance on cognitive functions such as increase of attention, concentration, and memory .

Almost anyone can benefit from taking vinpocetine. From people who have already cognitive deterioration, through baby boomers who are starting to suffer the symptoms of memory loss to young people and students who want to enhance their memory to increase their intellectual intelligence as well as to get good results at exams.
Stroke and vascular dementia
Vinpocetine is thought to increase blood circulation in the brain, which may explain why some preliminary studies suggest that it may reduce brain impairment and dementia after an ischemic stroke. Although promising, well-designed human studies are needed.

Alzheimer’s disease
Vinpocetine is also being explored as a complementary treatment for people with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s thought to enhance the brain’s use of oxygen, protect brain cells against damage, and increase blood flow to the brain by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase.

Although preliminary studies on the use of vinpocetine for Alzheimer’s disease showed promise, a critical review of previously published studies found that the evidence as a whole was too weak to rely on, due to limitations in the design of the studies. More research is needed.

Tinnitus
Studies suggest that vinpocetine may help with tinnitus after trauma to the ear.

To boost brain function
Vinpocetine is marketed in North America as a supplement that can boost memory and brain function in healthy people, but there is no real evidence yet that it can help.

Dosage
It is recommended that first-time users ingest only 2-5 mg of vinpocetine to make sure they are not hypersensitive to it. Users may then increase the dosage to 10-30 mg a day (which may, although very rarely, cause some side-effects).


Side Effects and Safety Concerns

No adverse reactions to vinpocetine have been reported in human trials. Due to the small sample size of existing trials the prevalence of adverse reactions is still unknown although thought to be rare. Anecdotal evidence has suggested that a small subset of users may experience adverse reactions. Due to the possibility of adverse reactions, a low initial dose is typically recommended. The small size of existing studies precludes conclusion on the prevalence or severity of possible adverse reactions in vinopocetine usage.

The safety of vinpocetine in pregnant women has not been evaluated.

Vinpocetine has been implicated in one case to induce agranulocytosis, a condition in which granulocytyes – an important type of white blood cell, are markedly decreased. Some people have anecdotally noted that their continued use of vinpocetine reduces immune function. Commission E warned that vinpocetine reduced immune function and could cause apoptosis in the long term.

Side effects of vinpocetine may include indigestion, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, facial flushing, insomnia, headache, drowsiness and dry mouth. Vinpocetine may also cause a temporary drop in blood pressure.

Vinpocetine shouldn’t be taken by pregnant or nursing women. The safety of vinpocetine in people with liver or kidney damage isn’t known. People with bleeding disorders, low blood pressure or seizure disorders shouldn’t use vinpocetine. It also shouldn’t be used two weeks before or after a surgical or dental procedure.

There is one case report of agranulocytosis associated with the use of vinpocetine.

Possible Drug Interactions
Vinpocetine shouldn’t be taken by people who are taking drugs or herbs that “thin” the blood (anticlotting or antiplatelet medications), such as aspirin, Plavix (clopidogrel), Ticlid (ticlopidine), (Trental) pentoxifylline, vitamin E, garlic or ginkgo. It should not be used with Coumadin (warfarin).

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinpocetine
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/vinpocetine.htm
http://www.vinpocetine.com/

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