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DMAE

DMAE is a choline molecule with one less methyl group, and has the ability to reduce build-up of the age pigmentation known as beta-amyloid. It is the active component of Centrophenoxine, or Lucidril, a pharmaceutical designed for cognitive health in the elderly.

Our evidence-based analysis on dmae features 11 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

Summary of DMAE

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

DMAE is a compound that is known as a mind health compound. It does this by reducing buildup of what is known as the 'age pigment', which impairs cognitive function and is implicated in the cognitive decline with age. It can also increase levels of the compound involved with memory, acetylcholine.

It can also protect neurons and other cells from harmful effects of certain types of oxidation by embedding itself in the structure of the cell and acting as an anti-oxidant, as well as sustaining metabolic processes in the body through a process known as 'methyl donation'.

DMAE is also found in various face and body creams, and can tighten and tone skin quality.

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Human Effect Matrix

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The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects DMAE has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

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Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-c
Cognitive Decline
- - See study

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Things to Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Also Known As

Dimethylaminoethanol, dimethylethanolamine, Deanol (cream)

Do Not Confuse With

DMAA (Stimulant), DHEA (Hormone Precursor)

Goes Well With

Caution Notice

DMAE may potentially be teratogenic (causing defects in unborn infants) in the first few days after impregnation and should not be used orally by women who are attempting to conceive.

Via increasing acetylcholine levels, DMAE is slightly stimulatory.

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This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 11 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for DMAE.

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