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Dme2.5

DMAE Research

Mostly mechanism / observationalModerate safety

4 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most DMAE studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from mixed-quality randomised trials published 1996–2009 with a typical study size of 60 participants.

Based on 4 studies · 2 RCTs · 90 total participants

Confidence

Low

By outcome

Skin healthShort industry trials show increased skin firmness/tensile strength (surrogate measures); no robust anti-aging outcome data · Weeks (topical)
Too few graded studies1 study

Older research base

Newest study from 2009

199620022009

1Preclinical2009

DMAE p-Glu produced a significant positive effect on scores in the Buschke test, as well as a slight but significant difference on choice reaction time.

Blin O, Audebert C, Pitel S, Kaladjian A, Casse-Perrot C, Zaim M, Micallef J, Tisne-Versailles J, Sokoloff P, Chopin P, Marien M. · Psychopharmacology (Berl) (2009)

Combined rat (microdialysis, water-maze, passive-avoidance) and human studies of a DMAE pyroglutamate derivative
In healthy young men, DMAE p-Glu partially offset scopolamine-INDUCED memory deficit — a drug-challenge model, not everyday cognition
Tests a DMAE derivative (p-glutamate salt), not plain DMAE, limiting transfer to common supplements

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2Review2005

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.

Grossman R. · Am J Clin Dermatol (2005)

Review summarizing a placebo-controlled trial of 3% DMAE facial gel over 16 weeks
Reported significant improvement in forehead lines, fine periorbital wrinkles, and lip fullness (p<0.05); other measures were only borderline trends (p<=0.1)
Authored by a Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products employee — industry-linked

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3RCTn=30 · small study2002

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.

Uhoda I, Faska N, Robert C, Cauwenbergh G, Piérard GE. · Skin Res Technol (2002)

Two-phase randomized double-blind split-face study (pilot n=8, main n=30) of 3% DMAE gel
The pilot study found NO significant effect due to large inter-individual variation
The second phase found increased skin firmness via shear-wave velocity — a surrogate biophysical measure

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4RCTn=60 · small study1996

The verum group taking a biogenic amine-vitamin combination revealed decreases in theta power during rest and increases in absolute theta power induced by mental demand.

Dimpfel W, Hofmann HC, Prohaska A, Schober F, Schellenberg R. · Eur J Med Res (1996)

Double-blind placebo-controlled study in 60 older volunteers of a DMAE-plus-vitamins/minerals combination product over 12 weeks
Outcome was EEG theta-power change interpreted as a marker of mental performance — an electrophysiological surrogate, not a cognitive test result
DMAE was given inside a multi-ingredient formulation, so the DMAE-specific contribution cannot be isolated (confounded)

View in Research Library

DMAE Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Effects of dimethylaminoethanol pyroglutamate (DMAE p-Glu) against memory deficits induced by scopolamine: evidence from preclinical and clinical studies.

The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology.

Split face study on the cutaneous tensile effect of 2-dimethylaminoethanol (deanol) gel.

Source density analysis of functional topographical EEG: monitoring of cognitive drug action.