Has anyone tried galantamine for ADD? Like Reminyl?

See the below post from another board. I know that nicotine gum really helps me.







Galantamine for Primary Inattentive ADD

Q I have primary inattentive ADD, which, as you probably know, is characterized by distractibility, memory problems, inattention to detail, procrastination, lateness, daydreaming, disorganization, and a slew of other symptoms. The most common medications for treating this problem are Adderal® (amphetamine) and Ritalin® (methylphenidate). I’m taking Adderal, and it’s now easier to think and pay attention, and it improves my mood. It also makes it easier to think with my whole brain. I can use my rational and emotional faculties equally well and simultaneously. This makes it much easier to discuss issues with my wife.

I really like these aspects, but Adderal does seem to make me a bit agitated. I think that is primarily because the effect of Adderal (which is essentially amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts) is to release dopamine. It also releases lesser quantities of noradrenaline and acetylcholine.

According to research conducted by Dr. Richard Todd at Washington University in St. Louis, primary inattentive ADD is related to a mutation in a gene called CHRNA4, which controls the sensitivity of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain. He began his research because a number of psychiatrists were starting to suspect that many primary inattentive ADD patients were self-medicating with nicotine. Nicotine binds to the nicotinic receptors and locks their ion-transmission channels open for around 40 minutes.

Many inattentive ADD patients have noticed that nothing alleviates their symptoms as well as nicotine. Maybe Dr. Todd’s research explains why. At the end of his study, he recommends further research into medications such as ABT-418 to cure the problem. ABT-418 was an experimental acetylcholine agonist that was not readily available and is now out of production.

My question is: If galantamine is known to be one of the most beneficial acetylcholine agonists and works via two different mechanisms—as a reuptake inhibitor and a resensitizer—why wouldn’t it make sense to use galantamine for inattentive ADD rather than Ritalin or Adderal? I’m not asking for a recommendation, because I know you can’t do that. I’m just curious in a theoretical sense.

Unfortunately, only one psychiatric researcher (in the hard-to-find Polish Journal of Psychiatry) has considered acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as galantamine for inattentive ADD. Currently galantamine, in the form of Reminyl®, is being prescribed for Alzheimer’s patients. Interestingly, one of the reports I’ve read remarks that, in some ways, inattentive ADD resembles a permanent, low-level case of Alzheimer’s. Considering the neuroprotective effects of nicotine, acetylcholine, and galantamine and the possible shortage of acetylcholine in inattentive ADD sufferers, it makes me wonder whether they are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s.

There is an excellent article by Silvia Petrova about the neurological effects of galantamine within the acetylcholine system posted on the Alzheimer Research Forum’s Web site at www.alzforum.org/res/adh/cur/petrova/default.asp (http://www.alzforum.org/res/adh/cur/petrova/default.asp).

By the way, at my effective dose for inattentive ADD, Adderal has two side effects that nicotine does not have: slight agitation and stammering (these are well known). Nicotine actually has the opposite effect: it calms me down and makes me an eloquent speaker (not to mention improving my memory). JAMES, Kirkwood, MO

A We know little about the use of galantamine for inattentive ADD other than what the abstract for the Polish article states. The text of that article is, unfortunately, in Polish [Kloszewska I. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors—beyond Alzheimer’s disease. Psychiatr Pol 2002 Nov-Dec;36(6 Suppl):133-41. Review.] If anyone has a translation (or the scientific expertise to translate it), please contact us. And if anyone has had success using galantamine for inattentive ADD, please relate your experiences to us. Regarding Dr. Silvia Petrova: she is a psychiatrist from Sofia, Bulgaria, who apparently has read some of our material, judging from her use of the phrase “gift from the gods” to describe galantamine. Her article is definitely worth reading.

Wow, interesting post. Unfortunately, I have no scientific or anecdotal evidence to help you.

You can, however, order galantamine from Anti-Aging systems.

http://www.antiaging-systems.com/iasstore/acatalog/galantamine.html.

I have ordered from them in the past and they are reliable, although shipping takes a bit of time because they ship from England.

I have never smoked (and therefore never used nicotine), but everything you wrote makes sense. I have read that there is a genetic difference on a neurotransmitter receptor (I thought it was a dopamine receptor) between those who can smoke and easily quit, and those who can't. Presumably those who can't feel too good from the nicotine.

A couple of years ago my mom, who was a very heavy smoker, finally quit smoking when she landed in the hospital from smoke-related illnesses. However, I have noted a pronounced mental decline since she quit smoking, which I'm sure is related to the fact that she is not getting daily doses of nicotine. It woudn't surprise me a bit if I share her same genetic makeup, and that this genetic makeup is the cause of my ADD symptoms.

By the way, what dose of Adderall are you on? I have been taking Adderall for about five weeks, and it is really helping my inattentive ADD. So far, I haven't noticed any agitation or stammering. If fact, quite the opposite - I've always been a good writer ("5's" on all my pre-college Advanced Placement essay exams), but my speaking skills have really lagged behind, and I can be quite scattered when speaking. I definitely feel more eloquent on Adderall - sort of like my speaking skills are catching up to my writing skills. However, I'm only on 10 mg XR, and am thinking of upping the dose because it is starting to become less effective. I sure hope I don't experience agitation and stammering on a higher dose.

Good luck in your explorations.

I just found this information on the web about galantamine. It talks about galantamine as an Alzheimer's treatment, but is still interesting from an ADD perspective.





Galantamine, the Unique AChEI

Galantamine has been shown to have two methods of action, which make it special among the current range of AChEI's. Firstly, it displays the deactivation of AChE thus improving ACh levels, but it also stimulates nicotinic receptors, which may release even more ACh. It is nicotinic stimulation that represents the new area for AD [Alzheimer's] research and it is hoped that this will result in fewer amyloid plaques. These plaques have come to characterize AD, they are microscopic, spherical structures containing deposits of beta-amyloid peptide, dead and dying neurons and evidence of inflammation. Pooled data from galantamine trials indicate that improvements have been shown in cognitive and global scales commonly used to assess the progress of people with AD. Thus galantamine improved functional ability, memory and learning abilities. Whilst galantamine is specifically approved as an Alzheimer's drug, it is perhaps not surprising to note that treatment with it usually responds in the patient feeling 'better' in themselves. In other words galantamine appears to also exhibit a mild anti-depressant effect.

Galantamine- the Clinical Trials

Many countries are currently undergoing stage II and stage III clinical trials with galantamine, but Austria, Sweden and imminently the United Kingdom have already approved galantamine for use in Alzheimer's disease. However, in a pivotal double-blind, placebo-controlled US study with 636 patients suffering from mild to moderate AD, 423 received galantamine twice a day for 6-months and 213 were given placebo. Sixty two percent were female and the mean age was 75. At the end of the period, the patients who received galantamine were on-average 3.8 points higher than the scores of individuals who took a placebo. The cognitive performance of those on placebo had on-average declined by 2 points, whilst those taking galantamine had improved on-average by 1.7

Galantamine- Dosages, Contraindications and Side Effects

To date galantamine has not shown any major impact upon the liver in human trials. This is an important point because most AD treatments do affect the liver. One aspect of galantamine's relative safety may be the fact that it is an extract of the Galanthus Nivalis L. plant, a type of snow- drop in the daffodil family. To date most side effects have been limited to increased respiratory function, dizziness, lowering of heart rate, increased sweat and saliva production, loss of appetite, nausea, sleep disturbance and headache. In an overdose case, a lowering of blood pressure and heart rate was seen.

Galantamine is contraindicated in myocardial infarction, bronchial asthma, epilepsy, low blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers, gangrene and Parkinsonism. The standard dosages have been 5mg taken twice a day, but under close supervision these dosages have been increased to 3-6 tablets (5mg each) daily taken in divided dosages.



Personally, my blood pressure runs quite low, so I don't think I would experiment with galantamine.

Wow, interesting post. Unfortunately, I have no scientific or anecdotal evidence to help you.

You can, however, order galantamine from Anti-Aging systems.

http://www.antiaging-systems.com/iasstore/acatalog/galantamine.html.

I have ordered from them in the past and they are reliable, although shipping takes a bit of time because they ship from England.

I have never smoked (and therefore never used nicotine), but everything you wrote makes sense. I have read that there is a genetic difference on a neurotransmitter receptor (I thought it was a dopamine receptor) between those who can smoke and easily quit, and those who can't. Presumably those who can't feel too good from the nicotine.

A couple of years ago my mom, who was a very heavy smoker, finally quit smoking when she landed in the hospital from smoke-related illnesses. However, I have noted a pronounced mental decline since she quit smoking, which I'm sure is related to the fact that she is not getting daily doses of nicotine. It woudn't surprise me a bit if I share her same genetic makeup, and that this genetic makeup is the cause of my ADD symptoms.

By the way, what dose of Adderall are you on? I have been taking Adderall for about five weeks, and it is really helping my inattentive ADD. So far, I haven't noticed any agitation or stammering. If fact, quite the opposite - I've always been a good writer ("5's" on all my pre-college Advanced Placement essay exams), but my speaking skills have really lagged behind, and I can be quite scattered when speaking. I definitely feel more eloquent on Adderall - sort of like my speaking skills are catching up to my writing skills. However, I'm only on 10 mg XR, and am thinking of upping the dose because it is starting to become less effective. I sure hope I don't experience agitation and stammering on a higher dose.

Good luck in your explorations.
Yes, I found the article particularly interesting re nicotine since a brilliant friend of mine told me she felt she turned stupid when she quit smoking. I feel I cant live without it.

I am on 30 mg Adderall XR. My brother(ADHD) and niece (IADD) (oh those genes!) are both taking Adderall XR and have found it helpful. I just dont understand why it doesnt help me.

I have managed over the years to develop work arounds and systems to overcome the effects of my ADD (even though I didnt realize what it was) so that I have been successful--people even think that I am a very "organized" person (lists/ calendars, backup plans, etc)--but it is just what I have to do to function. But it has been difficult-- and I was looking forward to that focus. I could have been much more successful with a proper ability to focus.

I am proud that my 17 year old niece has Adderall. She has inherited my inattentive ADD. She starting drinking coffee at 2 years old--self medicating. Everyone called her foggy, dreamy, in another world, late, procrastinator--I knew what it was. She is now a B student--up from failing--with the Adderall.

The galantamine sounded good, but I have low blood pressure too--that wont be for me.

Interesting that you can write but have trouble verbalizing--I am the same--related to dopamine level.

As a former, highly addicted cigarette smoker, I can vouch for the increase in ADD symptoms post-quitting. I must emphasize, though, that smoking 2 or 3 packs a day-- for more years than I care to reveal -- did not come close to eliminating my ADD symptoms. I therefore take issue with the belief that nicotine is a satisfactory treatment of ADD. Quite the contrary, in fact: it was only after quitting about 5 years ago that I realized how much my smoking had been masking, but not really treating, what I discovered was ADD, inattentive type. Since then I've discovered that ritalin -- with all its discontents and limitations -- is far superior in treating my ADD symptoms than nicotine ever was.

I'm weighing in here because some of the previous posts indicate that people may feel they can't stop using nicotine because of their ADD. Believe me, I'm not saying you should stop -- that's up to you. (It took me years and years to be ready.) But you definitely can, without fear of mental deterioration! I just wish I'd realized sooner that it was not only possible for me to live without nicotine -- but that my quality of life -- and my ADD -- would improve so much.

Truly Kyla, Inattentive ADD is immaterial if you are dead from lung cancer or struggling for every breath with emphysema! Didnt mean to encourage people to smoke. But I think possibly people do smoke (lots) because they are unknowingly self-medicating. Nicotine does greatly enhance focus (while youre alive).

Pooh,

My point was that even though I used nicotine heavily, for years, to self-medicate, my ADD symptoms were not that greatly diminished, and that I have found ritalin far superior to nicotine in alleviating those symptoms.

I wasn't even commenting on the consequences of smoking. After all, nicotine in gum or patch form has not been linked with any serious health consequences (even though it can be addictive) and I would endorse its use if I thought it was effective. I just found that for me it wasn't.

IAS is a great place to order hard to find things. However, most of what they carry is very very expensive. If you'd like to get Galantmine cheaper, order it here:

http://www.relentlessimprovement.com/shop/products-by-health-concern/cognitive-enhancement/galantamind.html

90 caps x 8mg for $43.50

I don't work for the company but I highly recommend them simply because their customer service is second to none. They will talk with you about any of their products for as long as you want on the phone. They are exteremly knowledgeable on every supplement and its effects on the body. And finally, they are located in California and whenever I order from them it takes 2 days to get me my order (I live in Ohio). So they are a really great company and a great place to get supplements from.

I'm currently testing out Galantamine at the moment and hopefully it will have really positive effects.