research studies are quite clear on the facts that people who produce more alpha brain waves

7/27/2019 Research Studies Are Quite Clear on the Facts That People Who Produce More Alpha Brain Waves

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Research studies are quite clear on the facts that people who produce more alphabrain waves also experience less anxiety as well as increased creativity when facedwith problem solving. For example, elite athletes tend to produce a burst of alphawaves on the left side of their brain during their best performances. In addition to

being considered a "relaxing" substance, theanine has also been shown to improvelearning performance in mice, as well as concentration in human subjects.

One of the most unique aspects of theanine activity is its ability to increase thebrain's output of alpha waves. Alpha waves are one the four basic brain brain-wavepatterns (delta, theta, alpha, and beta) that can be monitored using anelectroencephalogram (EEG). Each wave pattern is associated with a particularoscillating electrical voltage in the brain, and the different brain brain-wave patternsare associated with different mental states and states of consciousness (Theta =Drowsiness; Alpha = Relaxed/Alertness; Beta = Stress/Anxiety). A handful of studies(in rats) have shown theanine to be an effective anti-hypertension agent. In thesestudies, it is interesting to note that theanine was able to bring elevated bloodpressure back toward normal levels, but it had no effect in reducing normal bloodpressure levels.

There are also more than a dozen reports in the scientific literature which show aclear benefit of theanine in fighting various forms of experimental cancer. Theanine

has been shown to enhance the anti-tumor activity of some cancer drugs such aspirarubicin, doxorubicin and adriamycin. It appears that theanine slows the ability of the tumor cells to eject the cancer drugs - so combination therapy with thechemotherapy agent plus theanine seems to maintain high levels of the drug in thetumor cells and both slow their growth and accelerate their death.

L-theanine has been shown to enhance the anticancer activity of doxorubicin andidarubicin in in vitro and animal studies. In an in vitro study, L-theanine increaseddoxorubicin's inhibition of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma more than two-fold and

increased nearly three-fold the concentration of doxorubicin in the tumor comparedwith treatment with doxorubicin alone.Subsequently, L-theanine, in combination with doxorubicin, was shown tosignificantly reduce tumor weight (to 62% of the control level) in M5076 ovariansarcoma-bearing mice. The doxorubicin dose used in this combination wasineffective by itself in inhibiting tumor growth. L-theanine was reported to increase


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doxorubicin concentration in the tumor by two- to seven-fold while simultaneouslydecreasing doxorubicin concentrations in normal tissues.A combination of L-theanine and doxorubicin significantly inhibited both primaryovarian sarcoma and hepatic metastasis of the tumor. L-theanine was credited in this

study with enhancing the activity of doxorubicin.In another study, L-theanine was used in conjunction with idarubicin, a recentlysynthesized anthracyline derivative being used clinically in some parts of the world totreat acute myelocytic leukemia. The use of idarubicin had been limited due to thefrequency with which it produces severe leukopenia. Combined with idarubicin inthe treatment of P388 leukemia-bearing mice, L-theanine significantly inhibitedsuppression of bone marrow cells and leukopenia, while simultaneously enhancingthe antitumor activity of idarubicin.Very recently, L-theanine, in combination with doxorubicin, was further shown tohave the ability to significantly inhibit even doxorubicin-resistant leukemia in mice.In an in vitro test, L-theanine showed some ability to inhibit LDL peroxidation. Thepolyphenol component of a green-tea extract was more potent in this regard thanthe L-theanine component. The caffeine component, on the other hand, was lesseffective than L-theanine.L-theanine has also exhibited hypotensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive ratsbut not in Wistar kyoto rats. Recently, L-theanine, at certain doses, was shown toinhibit caffeine stimulation, measured by electroencephalography in rats.

Recently, L-theanine, previously shown to penetrate the blood-brain barrier throughthe leucine-preferring transport system, has been demonstrated to producesignificant increases in serotonin and/or dopamine concentrations in the brain,principally in the striatum, hypothalamus and hippocampus.These findings led to recent studies investigating the possibility that L-theaninemight enhance learning ability, induce relaxation and relieve emotional stress.Memory and learning ability were said to be improved in young male Wistar ratsgiven 180 mg of L-theanine daily for four months. Performance was assessed using atest for learning ability and passive and active avoidance tests for memory.

The mental effects of L-theanine were tested in a small group of volunteers dividedinto two groups defined as "high-anxiety" and "low-anxiety" groups. The volunteerswere females aged 18 to 22. Their level of anxiety was assessed by a manifest anxietyscale. Subjects received water, 50 mg of L-theanine or 200 mg of L-theanine solutiononce a week. Brain waves were measured 60 minutes after administration. The 200mg dose (dissolved in 100 ml of water) resulted in significantly greater production of


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alpha waves than was observed in subjects receiving water. Greatest production wasconsistently seen about 40 minutes after L-theanine intake. The effect was dose-dependent. The researchers regarded the significantly increased production of alpha-brain wave activity as an index of increased relaxation. More rigorous followup is

needed.

Japan is credited with most of the clinical studies and information L-theanine. Thereare no dietary limits on L-theanine intake by the Japan Food Additive Association. In1964, the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare approved L-theanine forunlimited use in all foods, with the exception of infant foods. The intended use of L-theanine is that of a mental and physical relaxant that does not induce drowsiness.Although there is no set schedule for taking L-theanine, it may generally be taken atthe first signs of stress. Based on the results of the clinical studies, L-theanine is mosteffective in the range of 50-200 mg, with the effect being felt within 30 minutes andlasting for 8-10 hours. Individuals with high stress levels may increase their dosage of L-theanine to at least 100 mg, with no more than 600 mg being taken in a six hourperiod. FDA recommends a maximum dose of 1200 mg daily, although the reason forthis limit is not clear, due to its demonstrated safety.

There are no known adverse reactions to L-theanine and no drug interactions havebeen reported. L-theanine is not affected by food and may be taken anytime, as

needed. Absorbed from the small intestine via a sodium-coupled active transportprocess, L-theanine crosses the blood-brain barrier. L-theanine competes forabsorption in the intestinal tract and the brain with the amino acids found in themethionine group (leucine, isoleucine, and valine), however the concentrations of amino acids are unchanged by simultaneous ingestion of L-theanine. L-theanine isextremely safe. Although it is probably safe for pregnant women and nursingmothers, we discourage its use by them pending conclusive research.

Conclusion Research into L-theanine derived from the contradictory observation that

green tea, with its high caffeine content, produces a very calming effect. Theseemingly multi-dimensional reasons for this relaxation effect will continue to bestudied. Current areas of ongoing research include using L-theanine as an alternativeto Ritalin in children and adults, as a treatment for PMS, in controlling certainconditions of high blood pressure, in sharpening mental acuity and concentration,and as an anti-cancer agent alone and in synergy with other cancer-fighting agents.


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L-theanine may find another area of application for its use as a supplement inreducing the negative side effects of caffeine brought on by the over-consumption of coffee, soft drinks, or other caffeine-containing substances. 7.) References 1. KakudaT, Nozawa A, Unno T, et al. Inhibiting effects of theanine on caffeine stimulation

evaluated by EEG in the rat. Biosci Biotechno Biochem 2000; 64:287-293. 2. Mason R.200 mg of Zen; L-theanine boosts alpha waves, promotes alert relaxation. Alternative& Complementary Therapies 2001,April; 7:91-95 3. Juneja LR, Chu D-C, Okubo T, etal. L-theanine a unique amino acid of green tea and its relaxation effect in humans.Trends Food Sci Tech 1999; 10:199-204. 4. Yokozawa T, Dong E. Influence of greentea and its three major components upon low-density lipoprotein oxidation. ExpToxicol Pathol 1997; 49(5):329-335. After more than 15 years research, we cansupply 100% natural Green Tea L-Theanine std. 10%, 20%, 50%, 80%, 90%, 98%, 99%(Tested by HPLC method) now!

Refrences: 1. Kakuda T, Nozawa A, Unno T, Okamura N, Okai O. Inhibiting effects of theanine on caffeine stimulation evaluated by EEG in the rat. Biosci BiotechnolBiochem. 2000 Feb;64(2):287-93. 2. Kakuda T, Yanase H, Utsunomiya K, Nozawa A,Unno T, Kataoka K. Protective effect of gamma-glutamylethylamide (theanine) onischemic delayed neuronal death in gerbils. Neurosci Lett. 2000 Aug 11;289(3):189-92. 3. Sadzuka Y, Sugiyama T, Hirota S. Modulation of cancer chemotherapy by greentea. Clin Cancer Res. 1998 Jan;4(1):153-6. 4. Sadzuka Y, Sugiyama T, Miyagishima A,

Nozawa Y, Hirota S. The effects of theanine, as a novel biochemical modulator, onthe antitumor activity of adriamycin. Cancer Lett. 1996 Aug 2;105(2):203-9. 5.Sadzuka Y, Sugiyama T, Sonobe T. Efficacies of tea components on doxorubicininduced antitumor activity and reversal of multidrug resistance. Toxicol Lett. 2000Apr 3;114(1-3):155-62. 6. Sadzuka Y, Sugiyama T, Sonobe T. Improvement of idarubicin induced antitumor activity and bone marrow suppression by theanine, acomponent of tea. Cancer Lett. 2000 Oct 1;158(2):119-24. 7. Sadzuka Y, Sugiyama T,Suzuki T, Sonobe T. Enhancement of the activity of doxorubicin by inhibition of glutamate transporter. Toxicol Lett. 2001 Sep 15;123(2-3):159-67. 8. Sadzuka Y,

Yamashita Y, Sugiyama T, Sonobe T. Effect of dihydrokainate on the antitumoractivity of doxorubicin. Cancer Lett. 2002 May 28;179(2):157-63. 9. Sugiyama T,Sadzuka Y, Tanaka K, Sonobe T. Inhibition of glutamate transporter by theanineenhances the therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin. Toxicol Lett. 2001 Apr30;121(2):89-96. 10. Sugiyama T, Sadzuka Y. Combination of theanine withdoxorubicin inhibits hepatic metastasis of M5076 ovarian sarcoma. Clin Cancer Res.


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1999 Feb;5(2):413-6. 11. Sugiyama T, Sadzuka Y. Enhancing effects of green teacomponents on the antitumor activity of adriamycin against M5076 ovarian sarcoma.Cancer Lett. 1998 Nov 13;133(1):19-26. 12. Yokogoshi H, Kato Y, Sagesaka YM,Takihara-Matsuura T, Kakuda T, Takeuchi N. Reduction effect of theanine on blood

pressure and brain 5-hydroxyindoles in spontaneously hypertensive rats. BiosciBiotechnol Biochem. 1995 Apr;59(4):615-8. 13. Yokogoshi H, Kobayashi M.Hypotensive effect of gamma-glutamylmethylamide in spontaneously hypertensiverats. Life Sci. 1998;62(12):1065-8. 14. Yokogoshi H, Terashima T. Effect of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, on brain monoamines, striatal dopamine release and somekinds of behavior in rats. Nutrition. 2000 Sep;16(9):776-7. 15. Yokogoshi, H., Kato, Y.,Sagesaka, Y. M., Takihara-Matsuura, T., Kakuda, T., Takeuchi, N. "Reduction Effect of Theanine on Blood Pressure and Brain 5-Hydroxyindoles in SpontaneouslyHypertensive Rats." Biosciences, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, April 1995, 59(4):615-18. 16. Yokogoshi, H., Terashima, T. "Effect of Theanine, R-Glutamylethylamide,on Brain Monoamines, Striatal Dopamine Release and Some Kinds of Behavior inRats." Nutrition, Sept. 2000, 16(9): 776-77. 17. Zhang G, Miura Y, Yagasaki K. Effectsof dietary powdered green tea and theanine on tumor growth and endogenoushyperlipidemia in hepatoma-bearing rats. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2002Apr;66(4):711-6

L-TheanineL-Theanine is an amino acid derivative commonly found in green tea. [1]

It has psychoactive properties, [2] and is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. [3] Not onlyhas L-Theanine been shown to reduce mental and physical stress, [4] it also improvescognition in a synergistic manner with caffeine. [5],[6]

A study done at Japanese university found L-Theanine facilitates relaxation, and may aidlearning performance, mental clarity, and concentration. [7]

In a 2011 study of anxious students who received L-Theanine , they experienced a slowing

of their heart rate, improved attention performance and better reaction times than those whoreceived a placebo. [8]

In one study, the alpha brain waves of 13 people were monitored withelectroencephalography (EEG ), showed L-Theanine enhanced the processes responsiblefor maintaining attention. [2]

Another study examined the effects of as little as 50 milligrams of L-Theanine in healthy


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people. While relaxing with their eyes closed those receive L-Theanine showed increasedalpha brain wave activity, indicating "a relaxed but alert mental state" compared withparticipants who did not receive L-Theanine .[9]

L-Theanines effect on sleep was demonstrated by giving a test group L-Theanine daily,

then recording their sleep patterns. The study showed that while they did not sleep longer,the quality of sleep was more refreshing, and resulted in a better recovery of energy whenthey awoke. Those taking L-Theanine felt they slept longer than they actually did. [10]

Research has demonstrated L-Theanine provides a sense of relaxation in approximately30-40 minutes after ingestion [11] via at least two different mechanisms. First, it directlystimulates the production of alpha brain waves, [12],[13] resulting in a state of deep relaxationand mental alertness similar to what is achieved through meditation. Second, L-Theanine isinvolved in the formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma amino butyric acid(GABA), [14] which influences the levels of two other neurotransmitters, dopamine andserotonin, producing the key relaxation effect. [15]

Interestingly, L-Theanine may reduce the negative side effects of caffeine over-consumption. [16]

Each serving of Elebra contains L-Theanine, and is manufactured in the USA at acGMP facility that has an "A" rating (the highest possible) from the NationalNutritional Foods Association. We stand behind our product and offer a 100% MoneyBack Guarantee .

References 1. Juneja, LR; Chu, DC; Okubo, T; Nagato, Y; Yokogoshi, H. (1999). "L-Theanine - a uniqueamino acid of green

tea and its relaxation effect in humans". Trends in Food Science & Technology 10 (2):199 204.2. Gomez-Ramirez, M., Kelly, S.P., Montesi, J.L., and Foxe, J.J. The effects of L-theanineon alpha-band

oscillatory brain activity during a visuo-spatial attention task. Brain Topography, 2009, 22:44-51.3. Yokogoshi H, Kobayashi M, Mochizuki M, Terashima T (1998). "Effect of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, on

brain monoamines and striatal dopamine release in conscious rats". Neurochem Res 23(5): 667 73.4. Kimura K, Ozeki M, Juneja L, Ohira H (2007). "L-Theanine reduces psychological and

physiological stressresponses". Biol Psychol 74 (1): 39 45.

5. Haskell CF, Kennedy DO, Milne AL, Wesnes KA, Scholey AB (2008). "The effects of l-theanine, caffeine and

their combination on cognition and mood". Biol Psychol 77(2): 113 22.6.http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/8965/title/Distracted%3F_Tea_might_help_your

_focus" John J.
http://www.myelebra.com/Guarantee.htmlhttp://www.myelebra.com/Guarantee.htmlhttp://www.myelebra.com/Guarantee.htmlhttp://www.myelebra.com/Guarantee.htmlhttp://www.myelebra.com/Guarantee.htmlhttp://www.myelebra.com/Guarantee.html


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Foxe of the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research in Orangeburg, N.Y., andhis colleagues recruited

16 people for tests of attentiveness on four days. Before testing, each individual drank aglass of water. On 3

days, the drink was spiked with 100 milligrams of theanine, 60 mg of caffeine, or both.

The theanine dose wasequivalent to that in 4 to 5 cups of tea, and the caffeine translated to about 2.5 cups of tea. In the difficult tests,

participants watched a computer screen and pressed a button when a designated shapeappeared

on the side of a busy visual field to which an arrow had previously pointed. Participants'accuracy differed little

between days when they got water alone or with only one additive. Accuracy improveddramatically, however,

on the day that they got the theanine-caffeine combination. The attention benefit lastedthroughout the 3 hours

of testing."7. Terashima T. et al. Effect of Suntheanine Intake on Learning Ability. Fourth ShizuokaForum on Health and

Longevity. Nov 18, 1999 p.82-83. No abstract.8. Higashiyama A, et al. Effects of L-theanine on attention and reaction time response.Journal of Functional

Foods. Volume 3, Issue 3, July 2011, Pages 171-178.9. Roan, Shari. L -Theanine Comes into F ocus. Los Angeles Times 4 May 2010.

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/may/04/health/he-theanine4. Retrieved 2011-10-05.10. Green tea lulls brain into quality sleep. NutraIngredients.com. 17 March 2004.11. Juneja LR, et al. L-theanine a unique amino acid of green tea and its relaxation effect inhumans. Trends Food

Sci Tech 1999; 10:199-204.12. Ito K, et al. Effects of L-theanine on the release of alpha brain waves in humanvolunteers. Nippon

Nogeikagaku Kaishi 1998;72:153-7. No abstract.13. Gomez-Ramirez M; Higgins, BA; Rycroft, JA; Owen, GN; Mahoney, J; Shpaner, M;Foxe, JJ (2007). "The

Deployment of Intersensory Selective Attention: A High-density Electrical Mapping Studyof the Effects of

Theanine". Clin Neuropharmacol 30 (1): 25-38.14. Kakuda T, Nozawa A, Sugimoto A, Niino H. Inhibition by theanine of binding of [3H]

AMPA, [3H] kainate, and

[3H]MDL 105,519 to glutamate receptors. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2002;66(12):2683-6.15. Mason R. 200 mg of Zen; L-theanine boosts alpha waves, promotes alert relaxation.

Alternative &Complementary Therapies 2001,April; 7:91-95

16. Kakuda T, Nozawa A, Unno T, et al. Inhibiting effects of theanine on caffeine stimulationevaluated by EEG in

the rat. Biosci Biotechno Biochem 2000; 64:287-293.


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- See more at: http://www.myelebra.com/L-Theanine.html#sthash.nkyFAP7a.dpuf

Daily stress and anxiety not only wreaks havoc with our sense of well-being, but also shortens our livesby contributing to heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive impairment. 1-3

Drug companies offer medications to treat the symptoms of anxiety, but fears of addiction and sideeffects cause most health conscious people to avoid them. 4,5

Fortunately, alternatives are available in the form of natural botanical extracts one of which was shownto be as effective as a leading prescription medication.

Prescribed as a medicinal herb since ancient Greek times, lemon balm has long been known to relieveanxiety, promote sleep, and sooth agitation. Since this botanical extract cannot be patented, its beneficialeffects have been completely ignored by pharmaceutical interests.

Animal studies of lemon balm have produced impressive results with regard to stress reduction. In one

study, researchers gave low doses of a lemon balm extract to mice. They observed a decrease in anxiety-related behaviors when the animals were placed in an unfamiliar environment. 6 In the same study, higherdoses of the lemon balm extract produced analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. Most dramatically, lemonbalm extracts induced sleep in mice that had been given tiny (non-sleep-inducing) doses of traditionalsedative medications.

A very recent study of herbs used in traditional Lebanese medicine as sedatives demonstrated that lemonbalm extracts had the ability to bind to receptors that trigger relaxation and reduce anxiety in the brain. 7

Human Studies Confirm LemonBalms Benefits A large amount of published data has emerged on the benefits of lemonbalm for alleviating anxiety and mood disorders in humans. In the pastfive years alone, the powerful relaxing effects of lemon balm extractshave been documented by scientists around the world. These studiesconfirm what herbal practitioners have long known that lemon balm incombination with other herbal agents is effective in addressingconditions related to stress and anxiety. 8,9

In 2004, a study documented the effectiveness of a lozenge containing

lemon balm along with several other herbal preparations known to reduce anxiety. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 16 volunteers used the active lozenge or a placebo twice, two hours apart.Brain wave tracings were recorded both before and at various time intervals after the use of thelozenges. When the subjects used the active lozenges, they demonstrated marked increases in the alphawave activities that are associated with relaxation. Interestingly, there were also increases in the brainwave activity associated with attention, suggesting that the combined herbal preparation helped subjectscope with psychological and emotional stress without loss of cognitive function. 10

Lemon Balm ( Melissa officinalis )
http://www.myelebra.com/L-Theanine.html#sthash.nkyFAP7a.dpufhttp://www.myelebra.com/L-Theanine.html#sthash.nkyFAP7a.dpufhttp://www.myelebra.com/L-Theanine.html#sthash.nkyFAP7a.dpufhttp://www.myelebra.com/L-Theanine.html#sthash.nkyFAP7a.dpuf


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In another 2004 study, lemon balm was examined for its effect on laboratory-induced stress inhumans. 11 In this case, 18 healthy volunteers took a single dose of lemon balm extract (300 mg or 600mg) or a placebo. Their mood was assessed before the dose and one hour after, via a standardizedstress- simulation test. Subjects cognitive performance was also measured. The higher (600 mg) doseameliorated the stress induced by the test, and produced significantly improved self-ratings of calmnessand alertness. Even the lower (300 mg) dose produced a significant increase in the speed at which the

subjects could do math problems, without any reduction in accuracy.

NATURAL STRESS RELIEF: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

In todays high -pressure environment, stress is ubiquitous. Poorlymanaged stress contributes not only to anxiety, but also to insomniaand impaired concentration.

Many of the medicines that are commonly used to relieve stress andpromote sleep can produce unwanted side effects, ranging fromsedation to memory problems.

Scientists have uncovered two natural remedies that safely relievethe effects of stress while promoting focused calm.

Derived from green tea, theanine helps support a sense of relaxation, while maintaining the ability to think clearly. Studies show that lemon balm extract is effective in relieving

anxiousness and insomnia. Further, lemon balm helps boostcognitive performance and the ability to learn and retaininformation.

Theanine and lemon balm hold promise in helping preserve cognitive function with age, andperhaps e ven warding off Alzheimers disease.

Together, theanine and lemon balm offer an antidote to the stresses of modern day life. Bypromoting focused calm, these two natural agents can help you stay relaxed yet razor-sharp,while ensuring a peaceful nights re st.

Clinical Study Shows Effects against Anxiety, Insomnia A recent clinical trial highlighted the powerful stress-relieving benefits of lemon balm. In a double-blind,placebo-controlled trial, 20 volunteers suffering from anxiety and sleep disturbances received 300 mg of aspecialized lemon balm extract twice daily (in the morning and evening). After 15 days of treatment, theparticipants who received lemon balm reported a 49% reduction in their state of anxiety, a 72%reduction in anxiety-associated symptoms, and a 39% decrease in insomnia. In contrast, individualsreceiving placebo did not experience significant changes in anxiety or insomnia. These important findingsshow that lemon balm helps modulate the effects of stress on the body and mind to improve quality of life. Impressively, the benefits are clearly evident approximately two weeks after beginning treatment.While the individuals using lemon balm experienced less difficulty sleeping, it is important to note that the

lemon balm extract did not produce unwanted daytime drowsiness. This suggests that lemon balmhelped restore sleep by offsetting the effects of stress and anxiety. 12

Enhancing Attention and Cognition An elegant and dramatic study published in 2002 demonstrated just how effective lemon balm can be inmodulating both attention and cognitive performance. 13 Single doses of lemon balm extract at 300, 600,and 900 mg, or matching placebo, were given to 20 healthy volunteers at one-week intervals, and their


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cognitive performance was assessed using standardized tests. The results were compelling the subjectsall showed sustained improvement in their accuracy of attention after the 600 mg dose, as well asreductions in memory problems. Subjects also rated their calmness as higher, even shortly after thelowest dose of lemon balm.

The same researchers soon published another study demonstrating further benefits of lemon balm

extracts. 14 In this study, 20 healthy volunteers took single doses of lemon balm (600, 1000, and 1600mg) or placebo at one-week intervals. Cognitive performance was measured before and at one, three,and six hours following the dose. Subjects experienced markedly improved memory and increasedcalmness at every time-interval

following the highest dose; lower doses produced less dramatic improvements. Further, the scientistsused a laboratory model to show that lemon balm binds with cholinergic receptors in human brain tissueof the occipital cortex. Since activity at these receptors is altered in age-related cognitive decline and

Alzheimers disease, lemon balm extract could offer benefits for individuals experiencing memory lossrelated to these conditions.

Theres now exciting data to support lemon balm as a cognition -enhancing agent in age-related cognitive

decline. 9,15,16 Since people suffering from cognitive decline frequently have significant agitation, stress,and anxiety, these benefits may offer hope for those who suffer agitation and anxiety related toprogressive dementia.

Recommended by European botanical scientistsLemon balm has a long history of additional uses, which include alleviating conditions such as gas andbloating, vomiting, earache, headache, toothache, and sleeplessness. In fact, lemon balms uniqueproperties have led to its being recommended by the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy fortension, restlessness, and irritability. 16,17

The Calming and Neuroprotective Effects of Theanine Another powerful stress reliever is green-tea-derived theanine. When swallowed, theanine is readilyabsorbed and easily crosses the blood -brain barrier, allowing it to quickly reach brain cells. 18-20 Likesome other components of tea, theanine has tremendous potential as a cellular protectant. 21 Studies inanimals and humans demonstrate theanines ability to he lp promote relaxation, boost cognitive function,and support brain health. 21,22

Numerous studies in animals have shown the diverse and beneficialeffects that theanine produces in the nervous system. In one studywhere rats were supplemented with theanine, the animals experienced

increased levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. 20 Boosting serotoninis the mechanism by which many of the leading antidepressantpharmaceuticals work on the brain. Thus, theanine worked in a similarfashion as an antidepressant medication. Other research has highlightedfurther calming properties of theanine. In another study, theaninedecreased the release of excitatory (stimulating) neurotransmitters,while increasing the release of inhibitory (calming)neurotransmitters. 19 The result was a more relaxed state of being.


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Even more promising, theanines effects go beyond promoting relaxation to protecting the delicatenervous system against numerous potential dangers. When researchers injected mice with theanine threehours after a surgically-induced stroke, the size of the damaged area of brain was significantly decreased,as compared with untreated animals. Furthermore, vital brain functions such as blood flow werepreserved in the theanine-treated animals. 22 This led the scientists to propose that theanine may beuseful in stroke prevention. In another study, theanine helped reduce brain cell death due to stroke in

gerbils. 23

In findings with special relevance for Alzheimers disease, scientists found thattheanine helped protect brain cells against toxicity caused by glutamate, anexcitatory neurotransmitter. 24,25 Glutamate toxicity has been linked with thenervous system damage that occurs in Alzheimers disease, suggesting thattheanine could help protect against this devastating neurological disease. 26

Human Studies Confirm Theanines

EfficacyBuilding on these exciting animal studies, scientists have conducted a numberof well-executed and scientifically sound human trials of theanine. These studies have focused chiefly ontheanines effects on stress, anxiety, and cognitive function.

Quick Relief from Anxiety and Stress WithoutTranquilizer Drugs

By Tiesha D. Johnson, RN, BSN


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Theanine vs. Xanax: Comparison of EffectsOne of the most compelling studies on theanine was published in2004. In a double-blind, head-to-head comparison study, investigatorscompared theanine with alprazolam (Xanax), a commonlyprescribed anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) drug. 27 Each of 16 healthy humanvolunteers took either 1 mg alprazolam, 200 mg theanine, or aplacebo on separate occasions; thus, all participants were tested withall three treatments. Following each dose, the researchers obtainedbehavioral measures of anxiety in all participants, both before andafter an experimentally-created state of anxiety.

The results were nothing short of remarkable. Theanine, but notalprazolam or the placebo, induced relaxing effects that were evident at the initial measurement of whether a person felt tranquil versus troubled. This study is even more impressive when the dose of alprazolam is taken into consideration. One milligram is a substantial dose of this medication generally,most people use just 0.25 to 0.5 mg of alprazolam as a bedtime sleep aid. Theanines superiorperformance to a potentially habit-forming medication is truly stunning good news. 27

The dramatic effects of theanine have been further exploredin several studies published just this year. A group of Japanese researchers studied the effects of theanine onpsychological and physiological stress responses inhumans. 3 The researchers assigned a mental arithmetic task to each of 12 participants on four separate occasions,inducing so- called math anxiety. On one occasion, thesubjects took theanine at the beginning of the test, onanother they took the supplement halfway through, on athird they took a placebo that was identical to thesupplement, and on a fourth they took nothing at all.

Astonishingly, even this extremely short-term use of theaninehad remarkable effects on manifestations of anxiety. Subjectsusing theanine experienced a reduction in heart rate inresponse to the math testing, compared with those receivingplacebo. Analysis of heart-rate variability suggested thattheanine modulated activation of the sympathetic nervoussystem, the part of the nervous system that produces the

fight-or- flight response. Because the sympathetic nervoussystem stimulates the release of adrenalin and triggers thefirst steps in the stress response that eventually leads to

elevated stress hormone levels, keeping this system in check may help avert the deleterious long-termhealth consequences of stress. 3

Theanine Supports Cognitive Function

A growing body of research suggests that theanine may be a powerful tool in boosting cognitivefunction. Theanine may work via several mechanisms of action to help keep the mind sharp. 30

THE TROUBLE WITHBENZODIAZEPINES

The most widely used class of anxiety-relieving drugs is the

benzodiazepines. This class of drugs includes diazepam (Valium)and alprazolam (Xanax).

While these drugs are highlyeffective in calming anxiety, theymay also be habit-forming a factor that dramatically limits their usefulness and possibly their long-term safety. 28,29 Many of the

benzodiazepines also causesignificant memory impairment, ahighly undesirable effect. 4,5


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A 2007 report on theanine provides a detailed look at exactly how theanineworks to improve cognition. New York-based researchers affiliated with theUS Air Force were interested in mapping exactly where theanineproduces effects in the brain. 31 Previously, scientists have noted that whena person concentrates attention on a task, an electroencephalogram (EEG)study will show increased brain waves in the alpha region of the EEGspectrum. 32,33 The Air Force investigators sought to determine whethertheanine might cause changes in the important alpha region of the EEGduring tasks that involve selective focus, indicating enhanced ability toperform attention-requiring tasks. 31

While study subjects performed a standard task requiring focusedattention, the researchers gathered data from EEG electrodes. As expected,the subjects showed significant increases in their alpha brain wave activity while concentrating on thetasks. When the subjects took theanine prior to the task, they showed a surprising decrease in alphawave background activity, but a prominent increase in the important alpha activity related to theattention-requiring tasks. 31 This critical result suggests that theanine has important and specific effectson the brain circuits involved in focusing attention on critical tasks.

An innovative Japanese study corroborates theanines ability to support essential brain function. Studyparticipants who chewed gum containing 200 mg of theanine displayed significant increases in brainwave activity associated with focus and attention, as compared with individuals who chewed gum thatdid not contain theanine. 34 This study suggests that theanine has the ability to promote attention tovital tasks, while minimizing interference from distracting outside stimuli a finding that may have awealth of important applications. These potential applications of theanine include enhancingconcentration and performance in stressful situations, and potentially helping manage conditions suchas attention-deficit disorder.

Growing evidence suggests a potential role for theanine in averting the most dreaded cause of memoryloss Alzheimers disease. Recent data have shown that theanine along with other phytochemicalsderived from green tea promotes the activity of an enzyme that breaks down the harmful beta-amyloidprotein, which is commonly found in the brains of Alzheimers patients. 35 This promising preliminarystudy suggests that theanine could offer crucial protection against the brain changes that precede

Alzheimers disease.

Other Benefits of Theanine

While theanine has received the most attention for its anxiety- and stress-relieving effects, this versatilenatural agent is also attracting attention for its many other potential benefits.

Theanine may offer important support for healthy blood pressure levels. When scientists administeredtheanine to laboratory rats prone to high blood pressure, the animals displayed a significant drop inblood pressure. Notably, theanine did not cause any changes in rats with normal blood pressure. Thesefindings suggest that theanine may benefit those with elevated blood pressure, while maintaining bloodpressure levels that are already within a healthy range. 36

Theanine may have further applications in promoting healthy weight management. When researchersstudied body weight changes in laboratory mice in response to supplementation with the green teaconstituents catechins, theanine, and caffeine, they found remarkable effects. 37 The green tea-derived


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supplements notably modulated the tendency to gain weight and abdominal fat. In addition, thetheanine-containing supplements reduced serum fatty acids. The researchers concluded that caffeineand theanine together were responsible for the suppressive effect of green tea powder on body weightgain and fat accumulation.

Theanine may find important use as an adjuvant cancer therapy. Scientists now know that theanineenhances the activity of certain chemotherapy drugs, while minimizing their destructive effects onhealthy tissues. Theanine can increase the concentration of the drug doxorubicin (Adriamycin) intumors by suppressing a transport system that tumor cells normally use to rid themselves of the drug.Theanine also reduces tumor cell c ontent of antioxidants that could reduce the drugs destructive actionon the cancer cells. 38,39 While highly promising, further investigation is needed to fully evaluate theinteraction between theanine and various cancer therapies.

Together, these findin gs suggest a host of new areas for exploration of theanines life -enhancingproperties.

Safety and Dosage

Theanine is used in daily dosages ranging from 100-400 mg. There are no known adverse reactionsassociated with theanine. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid theanine supplementsuntil more is know about its effects. Theanine may enhance the anti-tumor effects of doxorubicin andidarubicin. The use of theanine supplements with cancer chemotherapeutic agents should only beconducted under medical supervision. 18

The suggested dose of lemon balm is 300 mg, once or twice daily. Lemon balm may be used in themorning to address daytime anxiety, or may be used in the evening to support relaxation and sleep.There are no known contraindications to using lemon balm. 16

Complementary Benefits of Theanine and Lemon BalmBoth green tea and lemon balm have centuries-old reputations as beneficial therapies for anxiety,stress, and impaired cognition. Together, these soothing natural agents hold promise in restoring therelaxed focus and mental clarity that are so easily eroded by the stressors of modern life. Further, theseplant-derived remedies may even help stave off the cognitive decline associated with aging.

References

1. Sridhar GR. Psychiatric co-morbidity & diabetes. Indian J Med Res. 2007 Mar;125(3):311-20.

2. Csaba BM. Anxiety as an independent cardiovascular risk. Neuropsychopharmacol Hung. 2006Mar;8(1):5-11.

3. Kimura K, Ozeki M, Juneja LR, Ohira H. L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stressresponses. Biol Psychol. 2007 Jan;74(1):39-45.

4. Beracochea D. Anterograde and retrograde effects of benzodiazepines on memory.


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5. Savic MM, Obradovic DI, Ugresic ND, Bokonjic DR. Memory effects of benzodiazepines: memorystages and types versus binding-site subtypes. Neural Plast. 2005;12(4):289-98.

6. Soulimani R, Fleurentin J, Mortier F, et al. Neurotropic action of the hydroalcoholic extract of Melissaofficinalis in the mouse. Planta Med. 1991 Apr;57(2):105-9.

7. Salah SM, Jager AK. Screening of traditionally used Lebanese herbs for neurological activities. JEthnopharmacol. 2005 Feb 10;97(1):145-9.

8. Gyllenhaal C, Merritt SL, Peterson SD, Block KI, Gochenour T. Efficacy and safety of herbal stimulantsand sedatives in sleep disorders. Sleep Med Rev. 2000 Jun;4(3):229-51.

9. Kennedy DO, Little W, Haskell CF, Scholey AB. Anxiolytic effects of a combination of Melissa officinalisand Valeriana officinalis during laboratory induced stress. Phytother Res. 2006 Feb;20(2):96-102.

10. Dimpfel W, Pischel I, Lehnfeld R. Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops,lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteers. Eur J Med Res. 2004 Sep 29;9(9):423-31.

11. Kennedy DO, Little W, Scholey AB. Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acuteadministration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm). Psychosom Med. 2004 Jul;66(4):607-13.

12. Available at: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=75166-berkem-lemon-balm-extract-stress-anxiety. Accessed May 22, 2007.

13. Kennedy DO, Scholey AB, Tildesley NT, Perry EK, Wesnes KA. Modulation of mood and cognitiveperformance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm). Pharmacol BiochemBehav. 2002 Jul;72(4):953-64.

14. Kennedy DO, Wake G, Savelev S, et al. Modulation of mood and cognitive performance followingacute administration of single doses of Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic andmuscarinic receptor-binding properties. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2003 Oct;28(10):1871-81.

15. de Sousa AC, Alviano DS, Blank AF, et al. Melissa officinalis L. essential oil: antitumoral andantioxidant activities. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2004 May;56(5):677-81.

16. Available at: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/herbaldrugs/101690.shtml. Accessed May 22, 2007.

17. Ulbricht C, Brendler T, Gruenwald J, et al. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.): an evidence-basedsystematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(4):71-114.

18. Available at: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/lth_0296.shtml. Accessed May 22, 2007.

19. Yamada T, Terashima T, Okubo T, Juneja LR, Yokogoshi H. Effects of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, on neurotransmitter release and its relationship with glutamic acid


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neurotransmission. Nutr Neurosci. 2005 Aug;8(4):219-26.

20. Yokogoshi H, Kobayashi M, Mochizuki M, Terashima T. Effect of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, onbrain monoamines and striatal dopamine release in conscious rats. Neurochem Res. 1998May;23(5):667-73.

21. Cooper R, Morre DJ, Morre DM. Medicinal benefits of green tea: Part I. Review of noncancer healthbenefits. J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Jun;11(3):521-8.

22. Egashira N, Hayakawa K, Mishima K, et al. Neuroprotective effect of gamma-glutamylethylamide(theanine) on cerebral infarction in mice. Neurosci Lett. 2004 Jun 3;363(1):58-61.

23. Kakuda T, Yanase H, Utsunomiya K, et al. Protective effect of gamma-glutamylethylamide(theanine) on ischemic delayed neuronal death in gerbils. Neurosci Lett. 2000 Aug 11;289(3):189-92.

24. Nagasawa K, Aoki H, Yasuda E, et al. Possible involvement of group I mGluRs in neuroprotectiveeffect of theanine. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Jul 16;320(1):116-22.

25. Kakuda T, Nozawa A, Sugimoto A, Niino H. Inhibition by theanine of binding of [3H]AMPA,[3H]kainate, and [3H]MDL 105,519 to glutamate receptors. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2002Dec;66(12):2683-6.

26. Chohan MO, Iqbal K. From tau to toxicity: eme rging roles of NMDA receptor in Alzheimers disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2006 Sep;10(1):81-7.

27. Lu K, Gray MA, Oliver C, et al. The acute effects of L-theanine in comparison with alprazolam onanticipatory anxiety in humans. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2004 Oct;19(7):457-65.

28. Available at: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/val1473.shtml. AccessedMay 30, 2007.

29. Available at: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/xan1491.shtml. AccessedMay 30, 2007.

30. Nathan PJ, Lu K, Gray M, Oliver C. The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): apossible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent. J Herb Pharmacother. 2006;6(2):21-30.

31. Gomez-Ramirez M, Higgins BA, Rycroft JA, et al. The deployment of intersensory selective attention:a high-density electrical mapping study of the effects of theanine. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2007Jan;30(1):25-38.

32. Jokisch D, Jensen O. Modulation of gamma and alpha activity during a working memory task engaging the dorsal or ventral stream. J Neurosci. 2007 Mar 21;27(12):3244-51.

33. Dockree PM, Kelly SP, Foxe JJ, Reilly RB, Robertson IH. Optimal sustained attention is linked to thespectral content of background EEG activity: greater ongoing tonic alpha (approximately 10 Hz) powersupports successful phasic goal activation. Eur J Neurosci. 2007 Feb;25(3):900-7.

34. Yagyu T, Wackermann J, Kinoshita T, et al. Chewing-gum flavor affects measures of global


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complexity of multichannel EEG. Neuropsychobiology. 1997;35(1):46-50.

35. Ayoub S, Melzig MF. Induction of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) activity of SK-N-SH cells by naturalcompounds from green tea. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2006 Apr;58(4):495-501.

36. Yokogoshi H, Kato Y, Sagesaka YM, et al. Reduction effect of theanine on blood pressure and brain5-hydroxyindoles in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 1995 Apr;59(4):615-8.

37. Zheng G, Sayama K, Okubo T, Juneja LR, Oguni I. Anti-obesity effects of three major components of green tea, catechins, caffeine and theanine, in mice. In Vivo. 2004 Jan;18(1):55-62.

38. Sadzuka Y, Sugiyama T, Suzuki T, Sonobe T. Enhancement of the activity of doxorubicin byinhibition of glutamate transporter. Toxicol Lett. 2001 Sep 15;123(2-3):159-67.

39. Sugiyama T, Sadzuka Y. Theanine and glutamate transporter inhibitors enhance the antitumorefficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2003 Dec 5;1653(2):47-59.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 66 , 1187-1192 (November 2012) | doi:10.1038/ejcn.2012.105

ARTICLE TOOLSo Send to a friendo Export citationo Rights and permissionso Order commercial reprints

SEARCH PUBMED FORo S Borgwardto F Hammanno K Schefflero M Kreutero J Dreweo C Beglingero more authors of this article

Neural effects of green tea extract on dorsolateralprefrontal cortex

S Borgwardt, F Hammann, K Scheffler, M Kreuter, J Drewe and C Beglinger

Abstract

Background/objectives:

Green tea is being recognized as a beverage with potential benefits for human health and

cognitive functions. In vivo studies provide preliminary evidence that green tea intake may

have a positive role in improving effects on cognitive functions. We aimed to examine the

neural effects of green tea extract on brain activation in humans.
http://www.nature.com/ejcn/foxtrot/svc/mailform?doi=10.1038/ejcn.2012.105&file=/ejcn/journal/v66/n11/full/ejcn2012105a.htmlhttp://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v66/n11/ris/ejcn2012105a.rishttps://s100.copyright.com/AppDispatchServlet?publisherName=NPG&publication=European%20Journal%20of%20Clinical%20Nutrition&title=Neural%20effects%20of%20green%20tea%20extract%20on%20dorsolateral%20prefrontal%20cortex&author=S%20Borgwardt,%20F%20Hammann,%20K%20Scheffler,%20M%20Kreuter,%20J%20Drewe%20et%20al.&contentID=10.1038/ejcn.2012.105&publicationDate=11/01/2012&volumeNum=66&issueNum=11&numPages=6&pageNumbers=pp1187-1192https://s100.copyright.com/AppDispatchServlet?publisherName=NPGR&publication=European%20Journal%20of%20Clinical%20Nutrition&title=Neural%20effects%20of%20green%20tea%20extract%20on%20dorsolateral%20prefrontal%20cortex&author=S%20Borgwardt,%20F%20Hammann,%20K%20Scheffler,%20M%20Kreuter,%20J%20Drewe%20et%20al.%20&contentID=10.1038/ejcn.2012.105&publicationDate=11/01/2012&volumeNum=66&issueNum=11&numPages=6&pageNumbers=pp1187-1192&orderBeanReset=truehttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Borgwardt+Shttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Hammann+Fhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Scheffler+Khttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Kreuter+Mhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Drewe+Jhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Beglinger+Chttp://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v66/n11/pubmed/ejcn2012105a.htmlhttp://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v66/n11/pubmed/ejcn2012105a.htmlhttp://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v66/n11/pubmed/ejcn2012105a.htmlhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Beglinger+Chttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Drewe+Jhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Kreuter+Mhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Scheffler+Khttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Hammann+Fhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&term=Borgwardt+Shttps://s100.copyright.com/AppDispatchServlet?publisherName=NPGR&publication=European%20Journal%20of%20Clinical%20Nutrition&title=Neural%20effects%20of%20green%20tea%20extract%20on%20dorsolateral%20prefrontal%20cortex&author=S%20Borgwardt,%20F%20Hammann,%20K%20Scheffler,%20M%20Kreuter,%20J%20Drewe%20et%20al.%20&contentID=10.1038/ejcn.2012.105&publicationDate=11/01/2012&volumeNum=66&issueNum=11&numPages=6&pageNumbers=pp1187-1192&orderBeanReset=truehttps://s100.copyright.com/AppDispatchServlet?publisherName=NPG&publication=European%20Journal%20of%20Clinical%20Nutrition&title=Neural%20effects%20of%20green%20tea%20extract%20on%20dorsolateral%20prefrontal%20cortex&author=S%20Borgwardt,%20F%20Hammann,%20K%20Scheffler,%20M%20Kreuter,%20J%20Drewe%20et%20al.&contentID=10.1038/ejcn.2012.105&publicationDate=11/01/2012&volumeNum=66&issueNum=11&numPages=6&pageNumbers=pp1187-1192http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v66/n11/ris/ejcn2012105a.rishttp://www.nature.com/ejcn/foxtrot/svc/mailform?doi=10.1038/ejcn.2012.105&file=/ejcn/journal/v66/n11/full/ejcn2012105a.html


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Subjects/methods:

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was recorded while 12 healthy volunteers

performed a working memory task following administration of 250 or 500 ml of a milk whey

based green tea containing soft drink or milk whey based soft drink without green tea ascontrol in a double-blind, controlled repeated measures within-subject design with

counterbalanced order of substance administration. A whole-brain analysis with a cluster-

level threshold of P


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the second cell, the neurotransmitter binds to a receptor, telling the second cell what to do or tellinganother neuron if to send a signal and whether it should be a strong or a weak signal.

Among other things, neurotransmitters are responsible for spinal reflexes and sleep regulation.There are currently conflicting classifications of which chemicals in the brain are considered to be

neurotransmitters. Following are neurotransmitters of interest to sleep researchers and thatscientists agree are actually neurotransmitters.

GABA (gamma aminobuytric acid) is an amino acid derivative that acts as an inhibitoryneurotransmitter, preventing or reducing certain nerve signals. It controls nervous signals in theretina and the central nervous system, so insufficient GABA usually causes anxiety and evenepileptic seizures. Drugs can temporarily increase GABA levels and in turn reduce anxiety, and offer anti-convulsive effects. Some medicinal and recreational drugs reduce the natural level of GABA;these include alcohol, barbiturates and cannabinoids. The drugs that reduce GABA combined withserotonin depletion can cause depression which keeps addicts in the cycle of addiction. Patientswith spastic cerebral palsy have damaged nerves in the central nervous system that cannot properlyabsorb GABA, affecting motor or muscular skills.

GABA is not found in any significant amounts outside the brain. Indeed, GABA is pretty much uniqueto the central nervous system of mammals. Many sedatives and hypnotics are GABA agonists.

Glutamic acid, also known as glutamate , is an amino acid and is the most commonneurotransmitter in the body. 80% of the brain's neurons release glutamate. Glutamates most vitalfunction as a neurotransmitter is in cognitive activities like memory and learning. Scientists havepointed the finger at glutamic acid as being involved in epileptic seizures, probably since glutamatecan also be a precursor for the synthesis of GABA.

Glutamate is involved arousal and anesthetic drugs seem to work at least partly by reducing

neurotransmission normally regulated by glutamate. Lower-than-normal levels of oxygen in the blood- such as apnea causes - stimulates production of glutamate.

Acetylcholine was the first neurotransmitter to be discovered by scientists and its major function isin the voluntary movement of muscles, although it also has many other functions. It is involved in thescheduling of REM sleep. The onset of Alzheimers disease happens when some regions of thebrain have depleted acetylcholine. Neurons that interact with acetylcholine are found in plenty in thepons (above the medulla) and in the basal forebrain. The preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus(together sometimes called POAH) are important in both REM and in regulation of the body'stemperature during sleep. It is also to make the causal direction go the other way - by manipulatingthe POAH it is possible to include insomnia or sleepiness, and if the POAH is artificially warmed, the

brain is induced to go into deep sleep.

The temperature of both the brain and the body fall during NREM sleep. The longer the NREM-sleep episode, the more the temperature falls. By contrast, brain temperature increases during REMsleep.

Norepinephrine is the neurotransmitter most involved in the fight or flight response and other stressful situations, since it increases heart rate and blood pressure. A catecholamine, It is
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intertwined with arousal, wakefulness, attentiveness, sleep and it is also involved in the formation of memories. Studies have shown that elevated norepinephrine levels are implicated in symptoms insome mood disorders. Neurons in the locus coeruleus in the bottom of the brain stem respond tonorepinephrine. When these neurons are stimulated, the cortical area of the brain becomes moreactive. Norepinephrine is therefore thought to be instrumental in causing people to wake up. Indeed,

the level of this neurotransmitter in the brain seems to rise in response to new stimuli. The conceptof "vigilance" is tied up with norepinephrine although scientists don't understand how.

Now when a person is in REM sleep, the cortex is aroused, but the levels of norepinephrine do notrise, in contrast to what happens during waking. Actually, the levels are at their lowest during REMand drugs that mimick norepinephrine affect sleep architecture by shortening the REM sleep period.Norepinephrine antagonists make the period longer.

Dopamine is another inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in voluntary movement and motivation.Sometimes called the "salience chemical" dopamine plays important roles in pleasure and subjectivefeelings of happiness. Alcohol, nicotine and some recreational drugs increase the level of dopamine.Schizophrenia is linked to elevated levels of dopamine in the frontal lobes of the brain. Conversely,low levels of dopamine in the motor areas of the brain are responsible for Parkinsons disease,causing muscle rigidity and uncontrollable muscle tremors. Animal models of Parkinson's diseaseand schizophrenia have found that dopamine plays an important role in regulating sleep.

Serotonin is involved in several important body functions such as memory, emotions, moods,appetite and thermoregulation, so it comes as no surprise the neurotransmitter is important inregulating sleep-waking also.. It makes people feel contented and safe. Serotonin deficiencies havebeen linked to depression, anger, OCD, sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome and manyother emotional and physical disturbances.

Does serotonin make one more sleepy or more awake? Seemingly both . But given we need to

sleep sometimes and to be awake at times, maybe more serotonin is generally a goodthing. Scientists have found that serotonin directly promotes wakefulness and also promotes theformation of sleep-promoting brain factors, perhaps as part of an evolutionary negative feedbacklook. Orexinergic wake-promoting neurons also stimulate serotoningic neurons.

Experiments on animals that artificially increase levels of 5-Hydroxytryptophan (a biochemicalprecursor for both serotonin and melatonin) increase wakefulness immediately, followed by anincrease in non-REM sleep. Serotonergic neurons inhibit sleep-promoting neurons and whenserotonin levels increase, REM time decreases.

Steroids also participate in sleep regulation. Cortisol increases propensity to REM sleep and

estrogen supplements appear to help post-menopausal women sleep, although this may be due toan indirect mechanism. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and corticotropin-releasinghormone also play parts in sleep regulation.

Orexin (Hypocretin) refers to several brain chemicals. They are excitatory neuropeptides thatpromote waking and suppress sleep. The perifornical hypothalamic area of the brain is rich inneurons that have orexin receptors. Animal tests involving orexin injections into the pontine reticular
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formation produced an increase in wakefullness and an increase in GABA levels. Narcoleptics havefewer orexin neurons. More on orexins.

Adenosine is produced during energy metabolism and plays a part in the sleep homeostaticprocess as it inhibits wake-promoting neurons. These neurons are in the basal forebrain, and

damage or changes to these neurons seems to play a part in the development of AlzheimersDisease. Caffeine seems to work by affectinv adenosine.

Melanin is a common pigment in the body (its what makes tanned skin darker, among other things). It is not the same as melatonin, although both are amino-acid derivatives, and melatoninwas discovered by a dermatologist investigating skin pigmentation. Melanin-concentratinghormone is a cyclic neuropeptide that influences the distribution of melanin in the body.

Like melatonin, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is also produced by the pituitary and is partof the weight (and maybe sleep) homeostatic processes. Scientists have identified two receptors inthe body that are activated by the hormone, and there has been interest in developing antagonists totreat obesity and mental health problems. (Too much MCH is correlated with obesity .) Detailedinvestigation has found MCH increases water intake and sugar intake

Recent research has suggested MCH plays a part in the complex sleep regulationsystem .(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080035/ ) The receptor cells are spreadthroughout the central nervous system. More research is required to figure this all out, but given theclose association between appetite and sleep regulation, it would not be surprising if MCH plays apart in sleep.

Further study of neurotransmitters and how they work will likely lead to treatments of nervous systemdisorders, depression and possibly even diseases like Alzheimers. Research on neurotransmittersis illuminating the causes of and possible treatments for chemical addictions. There are probablyneurotransmitters involved in sleep that are yet undiscovered.

http://www.sleepdex.org/neuro.htm

rogress Since the 1996 National Sleep Disorders ResearchPlan

Progress Index:
http://www.sleepdex.org/orexins.htmhttp://www.sleepdex.org/orexins.htmhttp://www.sleepdex.org/orexins.htmhttp://ttp//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17259374http://ttp//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17259374http://ttp//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17259374http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15870910http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15870910http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15870910http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080035/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080035/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080035/http://www.sleepdex.org/neuro.htmhttp://www.sleepdex.org/neuro.htmhttp://www.sleepdex.org/neuro.htmhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080035/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15870910http://ttp//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17259374http://www.sleepdex.org/orexins.htm


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The years since release of the original National SleepDisorders Research Plan in 1996 have been remarkablyeventful not only in terms of progress in the sleepsciences, but also in terms of lifestyle and activities of dailylife that impact on sleep habits and behaviors. America is

increasingly becoming a 24-hour per day society with ever-escalating expectations for around-the-clock services,information and entertainment. After the events of September 11th, 2001, we have also become a muchmore vigilant society. All of these lifestyle changes aredirectly impacting not only the number of hours Americanssleep each day but also when during the 24 hours thatsleep occurs.

We are now beginning to understand the impact of chronicsleep loss or sleeping at adverse circadian times on our

ability to function optimally and on our physical and mentalhealth. How sleep loss, sleep displacement (e.g., shiftwork, jet lag) , and a wide range of sleep disorders affectone's ability to maintain health and healthy functioning inthis 24/7 world, however, remains relatively poorlyunderstood. Thus, despite the scientific progress madesince 1996 in both clinical and basic science related tosleep and its disorders, there remains the challenge andthe need to discover the functions of sleep, to understandand develop better treatments for the many disordersaffecting sleep, and to explain the nature of human

physiology during wakefulness and the individual stages of sleep. Without progress in these areas, countless millionswill continue to suffer the consequences of dysfunctionand abuse of this most basic regulatory process. Progressin every area cannot be included in this ExecutiveSummary, but the most important gains in knowledge andunderstanding will be discussed to provide a context for the research recommendations that follow.

The scientific areas most important in extending andtranslating the research gains made to date are

summarized in the following paragraphs. The order inwhich they are listed does not reflect any prioritization;indeed, these individual recommendations are allimportant and of equivalent high priority.

Sleep Neurobiology Circadian Biology Sleep-DisorderedBreathing (SDB) Pediatrics

Insomnia Sleep Deprivation Sleep Education

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ResearchRecommendations

Research Training

Conclusion

Procedure

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progress.html
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressa.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressa.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressb.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressb.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressc.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressc.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressc.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressd.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressd.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progresse.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progresse.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressf.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressf.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressg.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressg.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/recommendations.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/recommendations.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/training.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/conclusion.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/conclusion.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/procedure.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progress.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progress.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progress.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/procedure.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/conclusion.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/training.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/recommendations.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/recommendations.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressg.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressf.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progresse.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressd.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressc.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressc.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressb.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressa.html


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Circadian Biology:

A growing number of "clock genes" have been identified since 1996 that playa critical role in mammalian circadian timing. In addition, there is clear evidence that non- suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) tissues have clock genesand can demonstrate circadian rhythms. Thus, circadian modulation is nowestablished to occur both centrally and peripherally, further emphasizing theimportance of circadian chronobiology in the timing of sleep and waking aswell as a wide variety of physiologic functions. Now these genetic studies arealso being applied to humans, in particular patients with advanced sleepphase syndrome.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressb.html

Progress Since the 1996 National Sleep DisordersResearch Plan

Progress Index: Circadian Biology Sleep-DisorderedBreathing (SDB) PediatricsInsomnia Sleep Deprivation Sleep Education

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Progress since 1996

Procedure

ResearchRecommendations

Research Training

Sleep Neurobiology:

The discovery in 1998-99 of hypocretin/orexin and its rolein the development of narcolepsy in animal models and inhumans revolutionized our understanding of thisdebilitating disorder and promises important advances inthe diagnosis and therapy of human narcolepsy.Discovery of the neuromodulatory role of hypocretin/orexinalso greatly improved our understanding of the basicneurobiologic processes that control sleep andwakefulness. Anatomic areas promoting sleep such as theventrolateral preoptic (VLPO) area of the hypothalamushave also been characterized. New anatomical andphysiological approaches have led to advances in our understanding of the location and interconnectionsbetween hypothalamic and brainstem circuits controllingREM, nonREM, and wake states. Factors regulating theactivity of these sleep-controlling neurons have beenidentified. Circuitry and neurotransmitter mechanismscontrolling muscle tone across the sleep cycle, of relevance to numerous sleep pathologies, have also beenidentified.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressa.html
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressb.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressb.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressb.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressb.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressc.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressc.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressc.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressd.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progresse.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progresse.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressf.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressf.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressg.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressg.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progress.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/procedure.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/recommendations.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/recommendations.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/training.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressa.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressa.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressa.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/training.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/recommendations.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/recommendations.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/procedure.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progress.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressg.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressf.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progresse.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressd.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressc.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressc.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressb.htmlhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/executive/progressb.html


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Chronotypes In zoology the word chronotype refers to the time of the sleep and regular activities of an animal.

Nocturnal animals are active at night, for instance. Humans are diurnal active in the day and atsleep at night. However, in sleep research and sleep science as applied to humans, chronotyperefers to the peoples regular rising and bedtimes. Some people are morning larks and rise earlyand are more active in the morning. Others are night owls and sleep late, being more active in theevenings and late nights. These are people at the poles; there are other variations such as peoplewho rise early but do not become active until mid-morning, etc. Night owls also tend to sleep moreon weekends, apparently having built up a sleep debt during the week more than larks do.

When these tendencies are very strong and interfere with the persons daily life, the person can besaid to have a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. Advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS)and delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) are the most common types. Does it sound like a

somewhat artificial line between a tendency (e.g. morning lark) and a disorder (ASPS)? It is. But lotsof medicine is like this. Chronotype behavior isnt seen in just sleep times, but in level of activity andvigilance during waking periods, and even body temperature, serum cortisol levels, and bloodpressure. The physiology of chronotypings isn t understood and it is surely very complicated and aresults of many underlying factors and biochemistries. Chronotypes definitely have a geneticcomponent. They run in families. A New Zealand study found they are "largely independent of ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic position" based on a survey.

In popular morality, there is the notion that eary birds are more moral than late risers. This prejudiceappears to be slowly on the decline as we move further from an agricultural society.

"To rise with the lark, and go to bed with the lamb." - Nicholas Breton

Scientists attempt to more formally measure chronotypes with a Morning-Eveningness Scale.However, this classification has not yet found widespread use and has not produced much of use. An attempt to find a correlation between the onset of melatonin blood serum increases and thedecline in slow-wave brain activity - and therefore a relationship between the circadian andhomeostatic cycles - in morning people vs evening people, was unsuccessful.

There are several Morningness-Eveningness Questionairres on-line. One is at

http://www.cet-surveys.org/Dialogix/servlet/Dialogix?schedule=3&DIRECTIVE=START

C H A N G I N G Y O U R C H R O N O T Y P ECan you change from a morning lark to a night owl or vi ce versa? No. You cant really change theunderlying biological predilication to a chronotype. Over time your body may change. Lots of peoplefind themselves turning into morning people as they age. But its not possible to make this happen.You can do things like use exposure to bright light to attempt to reset your circadian clock. And youcan use a drug like melatonin or (perhaps in the future) one of the new drugs in the emerging field of
http://www.sleepdex.org/dsps.htmhttp://www.sleepdex.org/dsps.htmhttp://www.sleepdex.org/dsps.htmhttp://jbr.sagepub.com/content/21/1/68.abstracthttp://jbr.sagepub.com/content/21/1/68.abstracthttp://jbr.sagepub.com/content/21/1/68.abstracthttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16704571http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16704571http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16704571http://www.cet-surveys.org/Dialogix/servlet/Dialogix?schedule=3&DIRECTIVE=STARThttp://www.cet-surveys.org/Dialogix/servlet/Dialogix?schedule=3&DIRECTIVE=STARThttp://www.chronobiotics.com/http://www.chronobiotics.com/http://www.chronobiotics.com/http://www.cet-surveys.org/Dialogix/servlet/Dialogix?schedule=3&DIRECTIVE=STARThttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16704571http://jbr.sagepub.com/content/21/1/68.abstracthttp://www.sleepdex.org/dsps.htm


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chronobiotics . But this probably isnt a good long term solution. Talk to a doctor. Most doctors will tellyou to avoid staying on drugs for long periods unless necessary.

L I V I N G W I T H Y O U R C H R O N O T Y P EIf you lived on your own with no interactions with others, you wouldnt hav e problems with your

chronotype. Tension comes in when you have to live and work with others. This is rarely a seriousproblem, though. You learn to live with family members who are different from you. You learn to getto work at the time your employer demands and when social activities with others are scheduled.The disconnect can be termed social jet lag but unlike real jet lag, the social form is chronic.

Scientific American had an article on the difference between how caffeine affects morning larks andnight owls. The short answer: daytime caffeine disrupts night sleep more in morning people than inevening people. Scientsits have also determined at least part of the genetic basis of larkiness. This isof little practica use, but it is further proof that the tendency is in-born, not a product of habit or morality.

T H E E A R L Y B I R D G E T S T H E W O R M ?Spanish: A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda - "God helps those who get up early."

German: Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund Morning-hours have gold in the mouth."

Italian: Chi dormi non piglia pesci He who sleeps doesn't catch any fish.

Neurotransmitter "Teamwork" and Sleep Disorders

Neurotransmitters Could Solve Serious Sleep DisordersPosted by ThirdAge Staff on July 17, 2012 4:19 PM

Researchers have discovered that two neurotransmitters work together in thebrain to block dangerous muscle movements during sleep and the findingcould lead to improved treatment of serious conditions like REM sleepdisorder.
http://www.chronobiotics.com/http://www.chronobiotics.com/http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=caffeine-disrupts-sleep-fhttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=caffeine-disrupts-sleep-fhttp://blogs.scientificamerican.com/a-blog-around-the-clock/2011/08/29/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-sleep-but-were-too-afraid-to-ask/http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/a-blog-around-the-clock/2011/08/29/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-sleep-but-were-too-afraid-to-ask/http://www.thirdage.com/our_teamhttp://www.thirdage.com/our_teamhttp://www.thirdage.com/our_teamhttp://cast.thirdage.com/image/woman-asleephttp://www.thirdage.com/our_teamhttp://blogs.scientificamerican.com/a-blog-around-the-clock/2011/08/29/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-sleep-but-were-too-afraid-to-ask/http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=caffeine-disrupts-sleep-fhttp://www.chronobiotics.com/


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Until now, experts in sleep disorders have believed that only one of thoseneurotransmitters, glycine, controlled the bodys muscle movements duringrapid eye movement (REM) sleep. But the latest study, conducted at theUniversity of Toronto with rats as subjects, found that another one, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), worked in tandem with glycine to paralyze musclesduring REM sleep. Without such paralysis, patients suffering from some sleepdisorders might, for example, walk without waking up.

Dennis McGinty, Ph.D., a behavioral neuroscientist at the Universiy of California, Los Angeles, who isnt associated with the research, said in astatement: By identifying the neurotransmitters and receptors involved insleep-related paralysis, this study points us to possible treatments for sleep -related motor disorders, which can often be debilitating.

Researcher John H. Peever, Ph.D., of the University of Toronto, said thediscovery was especially important as an indicator of how to treat REM sleepdisorder, in which a patient acts out his or her dream while its going on.

Up to 80 percent of people with that illness go on to develop a degenerativedisease like Parkinsons, and knowing how to effectively treat or reverse theearlier disorder might prevent the development of the more serious illness.

http://www.sleepdex.org/diagnosis.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(((sleep[MJ]+OR+sleep+deprivation[MJ]+OR+(sleep[ti]+NOT+medline[sb]))+AND+(adult[ti]+OR+adults[ti])+AND+(attitude+to+health[MH]+OR+pilot+projects[MH]+OR+program+evaluation[MH]+OR+health+education[MH]+OR+social+support[MH]+OR+%22public+health%22[tiab]+OR+public+health[mh]+OR+nhanes[tiab]+OR+brfss[tiab]+OR+%22sleep+heart+health+study%22[tiab]+OR+caregivers[MH]+OR+questionnaires[mh]+OR+napping[ti]+OR+community[tiab])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[MH]+AND+%22last%205%20years%22[dp]))+NOT+(infant[ti]+OR+child*[ti]+OR+ad[sh])

L-theanine (dalam teh hijau) dan adhd

http://www.web-us.com/l-theanine_anxiety_reducer.htm

Cardiovascular diseasesL-Theanine: How a Unique Anxiety Reducer and Mood Enhancer Increases Alpha Waves and Alertness as

seen in Infinite Play the Movie

by Carolyn Perrini, CLS, CNC

Hundreds of studies exist showing the many health benefits of green tea. But what makes it the most
http://www.sleepdex.org/diagnosis.htmhttp://www.sleepdex.org/diagnosis.htmhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(((sleep%5bMJ%5d+OR+sleep+deprivation%5bMJ%5d+OR+(sleep%5bti%5d+NOT+medline%5bsb%5d))+AND+(adult%5bti%5d+OR+adults%5bti%5d)+AND+(attitude+to+health%5bMH%5d+OR+pilot+projects%5bMH%5d+OR+program+evaluation%5bMH%5d+OR+health+education%5bMH%5d+OR+social+support%5bMH%5d+OR+%22public+health%22%5btiab%5d+OR+public+health%5bmh%5d+OR+nhanes%5btiab%5d+OR+brfss%5btiab%5d+OR+%22sleep+heart+health+study%22%5btiab%5d+OR+caregivers%5bMH%5d+OR+questionnaires%5bmh%5d+OR+napping%5bti%5d+OR+community%5btiab%5d)+AND+english%5bla%5d+AND+humans%5bMH%5d+AND+%22last%205%20years%22%5bdp%5d))+NOT+(infant%5bti%5d+OR+child*%5bti%5d+OR+ad%5bsh%5d)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(((sleep%5bMJ%5d+OR+sleep+deprivation%5bMJ%5d+OR+(sleep%5bti%5d+NOT+medline%5bsb%5d))+AND+(adult%5bti%5d+OR+adults%5bti%5d)+AND+(attitude+to+health%5bMH%5d+OR+pilot+projects%5bMH%5d+OR+program+evaluation%5bMH%5d+OR+health+education%5bMH%5d+OR+social+support%5bMH%5d+OR+%22public+health%22%5btiab%5d+OR+public+health%5bmh%5d+OR+nhanes%5btiab%5d+OR+brfss%5btiab%5d+OR+%22sleep+heart+health+study%22%5btiab%5d+OR+caregivers%5bMH%5d+OR+questionnaires%5bmh%5d+OR+napping%5bti%5d+OR+community%5btiab%5d)+AND+english%5bla%5d+AND+humans%5bMH%5d+AND+%22last%205%20years%22%5bdp%5d))+NOT+(infant%5bti%5d+OR+child*%5bti%5d+OR+ad%5bsh%5d)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(((sleep%5bMJ%5d+OR+sleep+deprivation%5bMJ%5d+OR+(sleep%5bti%5d+NOT+medline%5bsb%5d))+AND+(adult%5bti%5d+OR+adults%5bti%5d)+AND+(attitude+to+health%5bMH%5d+OR+pilot+projects%5bMH%5d+OR+program+evaluation%5bMH%5d+OR+health+education%5bMH%5d+OR+social+support%5bMH%5d+OR+%22public+health%22%5btiab%5d+OR+public+health%5bmh%5d+OR+nhanes%5btiab%5d+OR+brfss%5btiab%5d+OR+%22sleep+heart+health+study%22%5btiab%5d+OR+caregivers%5bMH%5d+OR+questionnaires%5bmh%5d+OR+napping%5bti%5d+OR+community%5btiab%5d)+AND+english%5bla%5d+AND+humans%5bMH%5d+AND+%22last%205%20years%22%5bdp%5d))+NOT+(infant%5bti%5d+OR+child*%5bti%5d+OR+ad%5bsh%5d)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(((sleep%5bMJ%5d+OR+sleep+deprivation%5bMJ%5d+OR+(sleep%5bti%5d+NOT+medline%5bsb%5d))+AND+(adult%5bti%5d+OR+adults%5bti%5d)+AND+(attitude+to+health%5bMH%5d+OR+pilot+projects%5bMH%5d+OR+program+evaluation%5bMH%5d+OR+health+education%5bMH%5d+OR+social+support%5bMH%5d+OR+%22public+health%22%5btiab%5d+OR+public+health%5bmh%5d+OR+nhanes%5btiab%5d+OR+brfss%5btiab%5d+OR+%22sleep+heart+health+study%22%5btiab%5d+OR+caregivers%5bMH%5d+OR+questionnaires%5bmh%5d+OR+napping%5bti%5d+OR+community%5btiab%5d)+AND+english%5bla%5d+AND+humans%5bMH%5d+AND+%22last%205%20years%22%5bdp%5d))+NOT+(infant%5bti%5d+OR+child*%5bti%5d+OR+ad%5bsh%5d)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(((sleep%5bMJ%5d+OR+sleep+deprivation%5bMJ%5d+OR+(sleep%5bti%5d+NOT+medline%5bsb%5d))+AND+(adult%5bti%5d+OR+adults%5bti%5d)+AND+(attitude+to+health%5bMH%5d+OR+pilot+projects%5bMH%5d+OR+program+evaluation%5bMH%5d+OR+health+education%5bMH%5d+OR+social+support%5bMH%5d+OR+%22public+health%22%5btiab%5d+OR+public+health%5bmh%5d+OR+nhanes%5btiab%5d+OR+brfss%5btiab%5d+OR+%22sleep+heart+health+study%22%5btiab%5d+OR+caregivers%5bMH%5d+OR+questionnaires%5bmh%5d+OR+napping%5bti%5d+OR+community%5btiab%5d)+AND+english%5bla%5d+AND+humans%5bMH%5d+AND+%22last%205%20years%22%5bdp%5d))+NOT+(infant%5bti%5d+OR+child*%5bti%5d+OR+ad%5bsh%5d)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(((sleep%5bMJ%5d+OR+sleep+deprivation%5bMJ%5d+OR+(sleep%5bti%5d+NOT+medline%5bsb%5d))+AND+(adult%5bti%5d+OR+adults%5bti%5d)+AND+(attitude+to+health%5bMH%5d+OR+pilot+projects%5bMH%5d+OR+program+evaluation%5bMH%5d+OR+health+education%5bMH%5d+OR+social+support%5bMH%5d+OR+%22public+health%22%5btiab%5d+OR+public+health%5bmh%5d+OR+nhanes%5btiab%5d+OR+brfss%5btiab%5d+OR+%22sleep+heart+health+study%22%5btiab%5d+OR+caregivers%5bMH%5d+OR+questionnaires%5bmh%5d+OR+napping%5bti%5d+OR+community%5btiab%5d)+AND+english%5bla%5d+AND+humans%5bMH%5d+AND+%22last%205%20years%22%5bdp%5d))+NOT+(infant%5bti%5d+OR+child*%5bti%5d+OR+ad%5bsh%5d)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(((sleep%5bMJ%5d+OR+sleep+deprivation%5bMJ%5d+OR+(sleep%5bti%5d+NOT+medline%5bsb%5d))+AND+(adult%5bti%5d+OR+adults%5bti%5d)+AND+(attitude+to+health%5bMH%5d+OR+pilot+projects%5bMH%5d+OR+program+evaluation%5bMH%5d+OR+health+education%5bMH%5d+OR+social+support%5bMH%5d+OR+%22public+health%22%5btiab%5d+OR+public+health%5bmh%5d+OR+nhanes%5btiab%5d+OR+brfss%5btiab%5d+OR+%22sleep+heart+health+study%22%5btiab%5d+OR+caregivers%5bMH%5d+OR+questionnaires%5bmh%5d+OR+napping%5bti%5d+OR+community%5btiab%5d)+AND+english%5bla%5d+AND+humans%5bMH%5d+AND+%22last%205%20years%22%5bdp%5d))+NOT+(infant%5bti%5d+OR+child*%5bti%5d+OR+ad%5bsh%5d)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(((sleep%5bMJ%5d+OR+sleep+deprivation%5bMJ%5d+OR+(sleep%5bti%5d+NOT+medline%5bsb%5d))+AND+(adult%5bti%5d+OR+adults%5bti%5d)+AND+(attitude+to+health%5bMH%5d+OR+pilot+projects%5bMH%5d+OR+program+evaluation%5bMH%5d+OR+health+education%5bMH%5d+OR+social+support%5bMH%5d+OR+%22public+health%22%5btiab%5d+OR+public+health%5bmh%5d+OR+nhanes%5btiab%5d+OR+brfss%5btiab%5d+OR+%22sleep+heart+health+study%22%5btiab%5d+OR+caregivers%5bMH%5d+OR+questionnaires%5bmh%5d+OR+napping%5bti%5d+OR+community%5btiab%5d)+AND+english%5bla%5d+AND+humans%5bMH%5d+AND+%22last%205%20years%22%5bdp%5d))+NOT+(infant%5bti%5d+OR+child*%5bti%5d+OR+ad%5bsh%5d)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(((sleep%5bMJ%5d+OR+sleep+deprivation%5bMJ%5d+OR+(sleep%5bti%5d+NOT+medline%5bsb%5d))+AND+(adult%5bti%5d+OR+adults%5bti%5

research studies are quite clear on the facts that people who produce more alpha brain waves

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