Old age's mental slowdown may be reversible (GABA)

NewScientist.com ^ | May 1, 2003 | New Scientist News

[FairOpinion]

Also there is another article on this at :

http://www.msnbc.com/news/907940.asp?0cv=HB10&cp1=1

"Aging brains may be sharpened and, in effect, made young again briefly by increasing the levels of a neurochemical called GABA, a study suggests.

TRANQUILIZERS INCREASE GABA Some tranquilizers, such as Valium, Xanax and Librium, increase the levels of GABA in the brain of human patients. This suggests that these drugs might sharpen aged minds, but that is an idea that first must be carefully tested, Leventhal said. “The idea is counterintuitive,” he said. “The idea that to get grandpa to move faster you have to tranquilize him isn’t something that makes a lot of sense without these results.”

----

Interesting. That is not to say that people should rush out and stuff themselves with tranquilizers.

I remember seeing GABA mentioned in some health/nutrition publications. I don't remember, whether it's something you can actually get as a supplement, or get things which turn into GABA in the body, or what normal food items may have it.

But this surely looks very promising, according to the article.

[arkfreepdom]

I remember seeing GABA mentioned in some health/nutrition publications. I don't remember, whether it's something you can actually get as a supplement, or get things which turn into GABA in the body, or what normal food items may have it.

The blood-brain barrier is pretty strict about what gets into the brain. Doubt a dietary supplement would help.

[Billthedrill]

I think I need some of this...uh...whatever it is...what'd the article say again?

[PoisedWoman]

Fascinating study! I must admit that I am aging. And just recently discovered that a minimal dose of Valium makes me think more clearly.

Quick search turned up this info from http://www.bodybuilding-supplements-for-you.com/AST/gaba.htm
where they have GABA for sale:


GABA, Gamma Aminobutyric Acid, is an amino acid classified as a neurotransmitter (A neurotransmitter is a substance that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse. A synapse is a region where nerve impulses are transmitted across axon terminals.)

GABA’s high concentration in the hypothalamus suggests this amino acid plays a significant role in hypothalamic-pituitary function. The hypothalamus is a region of the posterior section of the brain and is the regulating center for visceral (instinctive) functions such as sleep cycles, body temperature, and the activity of the pituitary gland.

The pituitary gland is the master endocrine gland effecting all hormonal functions of the body. One primary hormone of concern to the athlete is growth hormone (GH) and its various hormonal constituents.

The amino acid GABA has been shown in numerous studies to promote significant increases in plasma growth hormone levels.

There have been literally hundreds of clinical studies on GABA and numerous studies on GABA’s ability to elevate growth hormone levels. As with most nutritional studies, GABA research has come directly from the medical community. One noted study from the First Medical Clinic at the University of Milan in Milan, Italy titled, “Effect of acute and repeated administration of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) on growth hormone and prolactin secretion in man”, shows just how effective GABA is.

Quoted results from this study showed “In all of the 19 subjects studied, compared with 18 controls, plasma growth hormone levels were significantly increased (above 5 ng/ml) by acute oral administration of 5 g of GABA.”

This study showed over a 5 1/2 fold increase in plasma growth hormone levels 90 minutes after GABA administration. That is a significant increase unmatched by any other nutritional means.

Most cited studies on amino acids and growth hormone elevation utilize intravenous delivery means. This is unrealistic and doesn’t reflect real world results. Studies on GABA have been performed with both oral and intravenous administration with the oral route showing remarkable effectiveness.

GABA’s growth hormone elevating effects rival that of potent pharmaceutical compounds

[PatrickHenry]

There's hope for you guys.

[inquest]

But he cautions that the team has done no research in human and that people should start taking the drugs themselves.

Great place for a typo. I think I might caution the author to start taking the drugs himself.

[general_re]

Wise guy. If you're not at least ten years older than I am, the GABA is on me...

Gabba gabba, we accept you, we accept you, one of us!
Gabba gabba hey! Gabba gabba hey! Gabba gabba hey!

[longshadow]

There's hope for you guys.

type louder; my hearing's not what it used to be....

[P.O.E.]

Tod Browning BUMP!

[GovernmentShrinker]

arkfreepdom is correct. My mother has a GABA-related neurological condition and has been assured by all her specialists that eating GABA doesn't result in more GABA in your brain. The stuff is widely available as a supplement, apparently (per PoisedWoman's post) because it has other effects, though the supplement sellers would probably not bother disabusing any prospective customers of the notion that it might increase brain levels of GABA.

[Spunky]

Wasn't there a song that went GABA! GABA! GABA! GABA! GABA! GABA! GABA! said the monkey to the chimp?

Oh Duh! I almost forgot, it was DABA! DABA! DABA!.

I need some of that GABA stuff. <;-)

[Coroner]

Its also found that increasing GABA in the hippocampus effectively eliminates learned helplessness in operant and classical conditioning models.

[PoisedWoman]

Where do you get sub-lingual HGH and how much do you take?

I'm just finishing a bottle of "Alpha Lipoic Acid & Acetyl L-Carnitine," touted by Dr. Perricone on PBS and written up in many studies, famously a UC study that reported that aging lab rats did the macarena on the stuff. I think it had a good effect, but also gave me heartburn, so I won't buy more. Anyway, I've always done the macarena at the slightest provocation, with or without pills. But bouncing up at 6 a.m. seems a goal worth striving for...

[RLK]

What's HGH?

[FairOpinion]

"My mother has a GABA-related neurological condition and has been assured by all her specialists that eating GABA doesn't result in more GABA in your brain. " ---- Did she try it? I would check to make sure it doesn't cause harm or interfere with other things, but "if it can't hurt, but may help" well, who knows.

As walkingman mentioned in post 4, that while ordinary GABA doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier, but you can get some with some transporter which does. "The "Good" GABA is linked to a lipid soluable 'transporter' (usually hydropyridine)"

This may or may not be worth it to people in general, but if your Mother's condition is specifically related to lack of GABA, I personally would consider trying it.

[diamond6]

What is HGH?

[FairOpinion]

What's HGH?

Human Growth Hormone. It helps rejuvente people in appropriate amounts ( too much is not good for you either).

Most effective taken by injection, but aside from requiring a prescription, it is also very expensive. There are some claims, that by taking certain supplements, you can stimulate your body to make it, but I am personally skeptical about that.

I don't know whether sublingual HGH is really HGH or not, but it's interesting that it produces good results, according to a personal testimony here.

(But anyone considering HGH should check with their doctor, for example, people with diabetes or glucose tolerance problems should not take it, because HGH makes it worse)

For others it is supposed to be helpful in giving more energy, help muscle tone, skin, etc.

But, repeat, anyone considering it should do serious research and check with the doctor, before doing so.