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Dme2.5

DMAE Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

16 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 high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1977–2022 with a typical study size of 60 participants.

Based on 16 studies · 3 meta-analyses · 11 RCTs · 60 total participants

Confidence

High confidence

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

Slowing down

Only 1 study in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2022

197719992022

1Meta-Analysis2004

Tammenmaa IA, Sailas E, McGrath JJ, Soares-Weiser K, Wahlbeck K · Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry (2004)

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2Meta-Analysis2018

Tammenmaa-Aho I, Asher R, Soares-Weiser K, Bergman H · Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)

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3Meta-Analysis2022

Meng XT, Shi YY, Hong-Yan Z · Nutr Hosp (2022)

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4Systematic Review1999

Soares KV, McGrath JJ · Schizophr Res (1999)

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5RCT1978

Penovich P, Morgan JP, Kerzner B, Karch F, Goldblatt D · JAMA (1978)

6RCT2003

Dimpfel W, Wedekind W, Keplinger I · Eur J Med Res (2003)

7RCT2002

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

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8RCT2009

Blin O, Audebert C, Pitel S, Kaladjian A, Casse-Perrot C, Zaim M · Psychopharmacology (Berl) (2009)

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9RCT2019

Shipilova EM, Nesterovsky YE · Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova (2019)

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10RCT1977

Simpson GM, Voitashevsky A, Young MA, Lee JH · Psychopharmacology (Berl) (1977)

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11RCT2011

Li F, Li F, Wu D, Ma S, Gao J, Li Y · J Am Dent Assoc (2011)

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12RCT1979

de Montigny C, Chouinard G, Annable L · Psychopharmacology (Berl) (1979)

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13RCT1979

Marsh GR, Linnoila M · Psychopharmacology (Berl) (1979)

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14RCT1981

George J, Pridmore S, Aldous D · Aust N Z J Psychiatry (1981)

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15Review2005

In plain English: 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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16RCTn=60 · small study1996

In plain English: the verum group taking 1 capsule per day of an established drug containing a biogenic amine-vitamin combination revealed decreases in theta power during rest and increases in absolute theta power induced by mental demand within the area known to change its electrical activity during mental exercise.

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)

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DMAE Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Systematic review of cholinergic drugs for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Cholinergic medication for antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia.

Dietary omega-3 LCPUFA intake in the prevention of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The treatment of tardive dyskinesia--a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Double-blind evaluation of deanol in tardive dyskinesia.

Efficacy of dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) containing vitamin-mineral drug combination on EEG patterns in the presence of different emotional states.

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

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

[The influence of nooclerin on the structure of sleep disturbances in children with tension headaches].

Deanol in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.

The effect of an antibacterial monomer on the antibacterial activity and mechanical properties of a pit-and-fissure sealant.

Ineffectiveness of deanol in tardive dyskinesia: a placebo controlled study.

The effects of deanol on cognitive performance and electrophysiology in elderly humans.

Double blind controlled trial of deanol in tardive dyskinesia.

The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology.

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