article on Aniracetam and brain injury rehabilitation
 

I found this article/study and thought I would share it here.

Study on Aniracetam for treatment after traumatic brain injury:

Journal of Neurotrauma
Delayed, Post-Injury Treatment with Aniracetam Improves Cognitive Performance after Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats
To cite this paper:
Anna I. Baranova, Mark D. Whiting, Robert J. Hamm. Journal of Neurotrauma. August 1, 2006, 23(8): 1233-1240. doi:10.1089/neu.2006.23.1233.

Anna I. Baranova
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.
Mark D. Whiting
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.
Robert J. Hamm, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.

Chronic cognitive impairment is an enduring aspect of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in both humans and animals. Treating cognitive impairment in the post-traumatic stages of injury often involves the delivery of pharmacologic agents aimed at specific neurotransmitter systems. The current investigation examined the effects of the nootropoic drug aniracetam on cognitive recovery following TBI in rats. Three experiments were performed to determine (1) the optimal dose of aniracetam for treating cognitive impairment, (2) the effect of delaying drug treatment for a period of days following TBI, and (3) the effect of terminating drug treatment before cognitive assessment. In experiment 1, rats were administered moderate fluid percussion injury and treated with vehicle, 25, or 50 mg/kg aniracetam for 15 days. Both doses of aniracetam effectively reduced injury-induced deficits in the Morris water maze (MWM) as measured on postinjury days 11–15. In experiment 2, injured rats were treated with 50 mg/kg aniracetam or vehicle beginning on day 11 postinjury and continuing for 15 days. MWM performance, assessed on days 26–30, indicates that aniracetam-treated animals performed as well as sham-injured controls. In experiment 3, animals were injured and treated with aniracetam for 15 days. Drug treatment was terminated during MWM testing on postinjury days 16–20. In this experiment, aniracetam-treated rats did not perform better than vehicle-treated rats. The results of these experiments indicate that aniracetam is an effective treatment for cognitive impairment induced by TBI, even when treatment is delayed for a period of days following injury.

I saw this study some time ago. I have not found any follow up studies. I would be interested to see what the research shows long term. Are the effects long term or is there a need to maintain the drug regimen?

I found that aniracetam can cause severe head ache and pain from acetycholine depletion. It is suggested that a acetylcholine precursor such as 1-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha GPC) be co-administered in a ratio of 4 parts aniracetam to 3 parts Alpha GCP.

There is a lack of thorough human studies except to note that the maximum beneficial daily does it 1000mgs. The FDA has not approved it. It is sold as a smart drug and to body builders.

I would be interested in more human studies, whether US or foreign. It appears to have been studied in humans in japan.

*edit*

Mark,

There have been hundreds of human studies done on it since the 1970's in Europe and Asia. All have shown benefit from its use for head injured patients.

A google search shows a very limited amount of research on aniracetam. The patent was originated by Hoffman Roche in 1993. I have seen it referenced as far back as 1983 but only in rat studies or in the senile elderly.

Many of the references are copies of the same report or article.

I find it interesting that it is a prescription drug in Europe but sold over the counter as a food supplement in the USA.

Can you point me to some of the hundreds of human studies?

The 'racetams have been around since the 1970's. I was generally referring to the 'racetams when I made my statement. They are all just derivatives os Piracetam, so, essentially, they are the same compound. So, generally speaking, there have been hundreds of 'racetam studies done on humans since the 1970's. But that really is just splitting hairs.

It is only a prescription drug in two European countries.

The FDA won't approve any drug that is marketed as a cognitive enhancer, regardless of the research that has been done on it. Don't know why this is, it just is. Also, because of patent issues, no drug company wants to push this through for FDA clearance. But, the FDA is certainly not the end-all-be-all of the prescription drug manufacturing world. Just look up how ritallin was cleared and you'll know what I'm talking about.

It is recommended to take a choline supplement while taking any 'racetam.
It does deplete your brain of choline, which I have experienced first hand. Makes you very tired and groggy, but as soon as you take a choline pill, you're right as rain again.

The research has proven that it can improve any brain injured persons condition. The degree of improvement varies, but some research has stated seeing a 65% improvement in subjects studied. Not saying that it is a cure-all, but most brain injured people would agree that even a 10% improvement can be pretty dramatic.

It is pretty costly to get right now as there aren't any manufactures who make it in bulk anymore, except for Piracetam. A months supply will cost around $40. However, most co-pays on prescription drugs now cost around that as well.

Overall, I would say that it is definitely worth giving a try for a month. If it doesn't work, you're only out $40 bucks and at least you tried it.

Well, actually, it is not too expensive.

About $20 per month combined with Alpha GPC at 1000mg Aniracetam /600 mgs Alpha GCP

These links take you to the best prices I found. I found it to cost much more $40 per month in the prescription countries, not including the A GPC.

http://allnutri.com/pid40935/aniracetam.aspx
http://allnutri.com/search.aspx?query=alpha+gpc

Aniractem is more concentrated and targeted that piracetam and the other racetams although piracetam appears to have a better following of users.

I was informed that Alpha GPC has been found to increase the beta-amyloid plaque formation in Alzheimer's patients.

Its use should be considered very cautiously.

There is a different choline supplement used by many to restore choline levels. It is CDC Choline. It is also sold a Citicoline. It is an ingredient in 5 Hour Energy Drink. It is a bit more expensive the Alpha GCP.

Here is a really good article on choline, and which foods provide it well.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?t...trient&dbid=50

This nutrient is really neglected today. Since people have the cholesterol phobia thanks to the media, eggs are often not eaten anymore. Egg yolks are very high in choline.

This article is interesting too:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...9/ai_72613111/

It has been thought for a while now that some children are low in choline intake. Sensory integration disorder is sometimes treated with choline supplements.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...a4aa00efa7c653

In fact some children's vitamins now have choline added.

Mark,

Can you provide a link to your finding on Alpha GPC and beta-amyloid plaque formation? I performed a google search and couldn't find anything on it. I actually found 3 sites that mentioned using Alpha GPC to prevent beta-amyloid formation in AD.

im gonna give this a shot! I ordered ALPHA GPC and aniracetam about 5 mins ago, should be in my hands in im assuming 10 business days.. ill be sure to post results :)