4 replies to this topic

[abolitionist]

http://www.homotaurine.com/

This is currently selling as a supplement to improve cognitive functioning and especially to prevent decline.

I haven't found any serious mention of it in the forums here, anybody tried it?

Looks like it's voodoo science.

[chrono]

The ingredient in question is 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid (3APS) aka tramiprosate aka homotaurine (pubmed search term). Seems to only be useful for preventing/reversing amyloid-beta formation, and had a pretty good safety profile. For example:

A Phase II study targeting amyloid-beta with 3APS in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease.
Aisen PS, Saumier D, Briand R, Laurin J, Gervais F, Tremblay P, Garceau D.
Department of Neurology, Georgetown University Medical Center

BACKGROUND: As a potential disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer disease (AD), 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid (3APS) is a compound that binds to amyloid beta (Abeta), a toxic protein known to aggregate, leading to amyloid plaque deposition in the brain.

METHODS: We assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic effect of 3APS in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study in which 58 subjects with mild-to-moderate AD were randomly assigned to receive placebo or 3APS 50, 100, or 150 mg BID for 3 months. At the end of the double-blind phase, 42 of these subjects entered an open-label phase in which they received 3APS 150 mg BID for 17 months. Assessments included plasma and CSF 3APS concentrations, CSF levels of Abeta (Abeta(40) and Abeta(42)), and total tau, as well as cognitive (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale, Mini-Mental State Examination) and clinical (Clinical Dementia Rating scale-Sum of Boxes) measures.

RESULTS: 3APS had no significant impact on vital signs or laboratory test values. The most frequent side effects were nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which were intermittent and mild to moderate in severity. Seven 3APS-treated subjects discontinued because of side effects (all causalities) over the course of the study, and there were no 3APS-related serious adverse events. 3APS crossed the blood-brain barrier, and dose-dependently reduced CSF Abeta(42) levels after 3 months of treatment. There were no psychometric score differences between groups over the 3-month double-blind period.

CONCLUSION: Long-term administration of 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid is safe, tolerated and reduces CSF Abeta(42) levels in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease.

PMID: 17082468 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Though this paper might explain better why it's being sold in such a manner: Homotaurine: a failed drug for Alzheimer's disease and now a nutraceutical for memory protection.

[abolitionist]

"Curcumin and Vitamin D3 may Dissolve Plaques of Alzheimer's Disease" ;

http://www.naturalne...vitamin_D3.html

Edited by abolitionist, 19 September 2010 - 10:55 AM.

[abolitionist]

So if it removes Abeta safely and effectively, and if this is beneficial ;

Why is no one here using it and instead taking all manner of other substances?

Edited by abolitionist, 21 September 2010 - 06:42 AM.

[chrono]

So if it removes Abeta safely and effectively, and if this is beneficial ;

Why is no one here using it and instead taking all manner of other substances?

Because amyloid deposits aren't a big concern for most people here, who aren't elderly? It seems like taking a pharmaceutical drug prophylactically for something that probably won't be a concern for another 20-50 years is kind of overkill. And other nootropics (and curcumin) also affect amyloid plaques, and have other effects which are more relevant to cognitive enhancement/health.

Also, I'd want to know why it's a "failed" AD drug before I took any; general safety and tolerability in clinical trials doesn't mean that it's absolutely safe, or that it doesn't have undesirable mechanisms that might outweigh the putative benefits.

Edited by chrono, 25 September 2010 - 12:39 AM.