[Doh, can't fix the error in the title... Please ignore...]
I'm sure some of you are familiar with this study (via Dr. Marty Hinz), but it's new to me and there isn't anything on the forums directly discussing it:
Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with monoamine amino acid precursors and organic cation transporter assay interpretation
http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC3035600/
Here's the abstract:
This paper documents a retrospective pilot study of a novel approach for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with amino acid precursors of serotonin and dopamine in conjunction with urinary monoamine assays subjected to organic cation transporter (OCT) functional status determination. The goal of this research was to document the findings and related considerations of a retrospective chart review study designed to identify issues and areas of concern that will define parameters for a prospective controlled study.
This study included 85 patients, aged 4–18 years, who were treated with a novel amino acid precursor protocol. Their clinical course during the first 8–10 weeks of treatment was analyzed retrospectively. The study team consisted of PhD clinical psychologists, individuals compiling clinical data from records, and a statistician. The patients had been treated with a predefined protocol for administering amino acid precursors of serotonin and dopamine, along with OCT assay interpretation as indicated.
In total, 67% of participants achieved significant improvement with only amino acid precursors of serotonin and dopamine. In patients who achieved no significant relief of symptoms with only amino acid precursors, OCT assay interpretation was utilized. In this subgroup, 30.3% achieved significant relief following two or three urine assays and dosage changes as recommended by the assay results. The total percentage of patients showing significant improvement was 77%.
The efficacy of this novel protocol appears superior to some ADHD prescription drugs, and therefore indicates a need for further studies to verify this observation. The findings of this study justify initiation of further prospective controlled studies in order to evaluate more formally the observed benefits of this novel approach in the treatment of ADHD.
Here's the details of what they administered:
There has been no previous peer-reviewed literature published addressing the efficacy of amino acid precursors of serotonin and dopamine simultaneously administered in the treatment of ADHD. The immediate amino acid precursors of serotonin and dopamine are 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa), respectively.
In addition to the basic amino acid dosing values, other daily cofactors generally required for synthesis of the monoamine and maximum benefit from the protocol were administered. These included vitamin C 1000 mg, calcium citrate 220 mg, vitamin B6 75 mg, folate 400 μg, L-lysine 500 mg, L-cysteine 4500 mg for adults and 2250 mg for children, and selenium 400 μg for adults and 200 μg for children. In general, L-dopa in the form of standardized mucuna pruriens 40% was added when the recommendation of the first urinary OCT assay interpretation demonstrated its need, which was a frequent occurrence
Basically, an ADHD stack based on Macuna Pruriens and 5-HTP with supporting compounds to help synthesize the end neurotransmitters. They highlight the importance of achieving balance between free serotonin and dopamine, and do use urine testing to achieve results, but that would be the only thing not readily available to most of us, and enough trial-and-error could probably compensate.
I'm tempted to order this exact stack and try it out myself, but wanted to get some more opinions first. The high efficacy rate makes me both intrigued and skeptical. We're talking response rates better than Adderall, which seems fishy from only amino acids (plus select vitamins / minerals). Also, the study was funded by a grant from CHK Nutrition (who sells related supplements), but it seems like the lab carried out the study independently.
Any discussion over this stack or the legitimacy of posted results would be greatly appreciated. If it all sounds legitimate enough, I'll order these supplements and begin testing on myself. 
Edited by RS3RS, 16 December 2014 - 11:58 PM.
