The following is an excerpt from a news release about a research project at the U of Alberta. See link for full writeup.
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GABA activity is often deficient in both clinical and experimentally induced seizures. Low levels of GABA promote excitatory neurotransmitters and have been found in the brains of patients with multiple sclerosis, action tremors, tardive dyskinesia, and other disorders of movement. Low brain GABA levels have been found in people who suffer from panic, depression and alcoholism. The researchers want to prove that decreasing GABA and/or increasing glutamate neurotransmission plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of mood and anxiety disorders.
Related link:
http://www.med.ualberta.ca/news/page17.html
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
The only thing that worries me a little about this article is that if the the GABA seems to work on SD (as seems to be the case based on preliminary evidence from a later thread on this BB), and if GABA is key in people who suffer from panic, could it be that indeed SD is somehow nervousness or stress-related? I was just coming to terms with the fact that it was not psychologically induced. Now this makes me think twice.-Karen
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Maybe the same part of the brain affects different parts of the body, in different ways? Kinda like one vitamin or mineral can affect different functions. If there's a GABA defficiency, maybe it could affect mood one way, and muscles another. They all have to do with neurotransmitters, right?
I'm no doctor...just an observation.How is everyone doing with the GABA experiment anyway? I've just started taking it, and think it's helping. And I'm taking a low dose, 200 mg. I've heard if you take it with Niacinamide and Inositol, it has a more relaxing effect.
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Karen - I am sure that this is the case. Many specialists maintain that they are unsure what causes the onset of SD. I have always thought that mine was stress related due to my fear of public speaking and the trauma I went through when I had to speak in front of a large number of people whilst fulfilling my role as President of a trade association.However, GABA, although herbal, relaxes certain parts of the body and does not necessarily mean that SD is always caused by stress or something psychological. Incidentally I have been on GABA for one week now and the tight feeling in my throat has all but disappeared. My voice, although not perfect, is getting stronger by the day. The only side effect I have felt is a tingling 10/15 minutes after I have taken it and this last for about 20 minutes but not at all unpleasant. David ps Gaba is the dogs bo***cks (see "hello" on BB)
pps I'm gonna get chucked out of this club I can see it happening!!
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
I hope you NEVER get chucked out...you are the funniest person on the whole board!
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Pat - as in Patrick or Patricia?Funny as in peculiar? Actually talking of which sex - There are a few on the BB I'm not sure which sex - Robin - Micki - fancynancy - Kristan - Sandy - I think Lynnes a girl (I hope so anyway) but I have heard of a male Lynne (Lynn?) David (definately male). ps I don't think they'll chuck me out now I've just coughed up $25 joining fee to the NSDA.
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
It's not fair. David coughs up money...the rest of us cough up phlegm.
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Pat as in Patricia. Funny as in...funny! Although you may also be peculiar. Don't feel inclined to share any details though (unless they are REALLY interesting!) I think the rule of thumb with "trans-gender" names is "Micky" is a guy and "Micki" is a chick. It's a "y" vs. "i" thing. "Robyn" is almost always a girlie spelling. "Robin" makes me think of "Robin Hood". So who knows with that one. Kristan and Sandy -- probably women. Lynnes also a girl (most likely). Lynn is the "boy" spelling. Did you know that SD affects more women than men? Therefore, I deduce that you've been e-mailing a lot of women...regardless of how they spell their names! P.S. I think I should pay my 25 bucks, too. Just to be supportive and all that...
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Patricia - I agree you should pay your $25. I jump you jump (now where have I heard that before) As far as trans gender naming is concerned I am now feel I have been given a very useful English lesson. Noe going back to this "funny" business - I think Gavin is competing for the funniest man on the BB but he has just confessed today about being weird, it's a male thing you know like men cannot multi-task and women can't read maps etc. David Robin hasn't owned up yet then!!
Don't Panic!!
The same neurotransmitters in the brain effect movement and mood. This has been proven time after time, as patients on certain anti-psychotics for example, develop problems such as tardive Dykenesia (spelling??!) and even dystonia (rare). This DOES NOT MEAN that SD is caused by having a certain type of personality or Psych disorder, it just means that these things can be interrelated. The brain is a very complex machine. Thus GABA can help with movement disorders and also help mood - stranger than fiction - but it's not "all in your head", just all in your neurotransmitters!! I always knew that my SD was not a psych problem - I got ADSD when 17, and I was outgoing as anything( and still am), a debater, singer etc etc. And I never stopped trying to talk!! Hardly a nervous and depressed type. Of course having SD has had an effect on my life, especially on my confidence, but that can be overcome - it has only taken me 14 years, hehe!!
So, don't think twice, it's not cause you're nervous, it just might make you nervous cause you have it in the first place. I think SD definitely comes first in this "chicken and egg" type scenario.
cheers
Narelle
Re: Don't Panic!!
Thanks for this answer. This makes me feel a lot better.BTW, for those in the US, you can get this at Whole Foods Market (a/k/a Fresh Fields) for $19 for 90 750 mg tabs. -Karen
(Haven't actually taken them yet, as I want to check with my Dr. about any possibe issues since I'm currently taking Sinemet, which also works on the neurotransmitters.)
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
I have a few questionson this GABA. How does anyone know the correct dosage?On the bottle it says 750ml and to take 2-3 daily. And is there anyone with ABductor SD that has had success? How long has someone on this board been on it to tell us how successful it is? And do you stay on it for life or what?:-)
Thanks
Colleen AB/SD NE
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
I've got ABductor SD, and just started taking GABA. As with any new nutritional supplement, I start off on a low dose...about 250 mg per day, on an empty stomach. (The capsules are 500 mg, and I split a capsule). It seems to be improving my voice. My voice is usually at its worst about now, during "PMS" time (sorry, guys). But the GABA seems to make my voice steadier and stronger, with less effort and tremor. Still kinda breathy though. It's only been a week. In time I'll probably try increasing the dosage.I've tried to do some book research on GABA. Reports vary. Several say it helps mood (anxiety and depression). Another says it reduces seizures. Yet another claims if taken in large amounts it can induce a seizure (I"m sure this is a huge amount, like several grams!). In the book Life Extension (Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw), one man took it for his sex libido...he put a 30-40mg dose under his tongue.
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
As strange as it may seem, it can also be used as a male contraceptive. The label says if you put a capsule in your shoe, it will make you limp.
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
hehehehe. Pity Gapabentin can actually lower female sex drive :(
oh well, his problem, not mine, hehe!
love ya Gav!
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Gavin,
I needed a good laugh today. Thanks! Barb
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Colleen - I'm AB also and have just started GABA (too early for any result.) I'm starting with 750ml/day and intend to increase that to twice a day within the week (and that's where I'll stay - and I'll give it a try for at least a month.) I do take it with food (afraid of anything that might upset my stomach - I have no idea whether it would, I'm just being careful.) I wish you well, Robin (AB/So. Calif) P.S. And thanks to Gavin for the clinical insight ;-) But since I'm a girl (do you hear that David?) I guess I don't need to worry.
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Thanks ALL for the answers. Even though I had AB surgery 16 months ago I still am breathy so I thought I would try this. I will try 1 750 a day like Robin for a month and see what happens. I started Gaba last Sunday and I noticed I think my volume sounds lower and deeper. But my voice seems to never be the same every day so It might not even be the Gaba. Thanks Miki for all your information on Gaba. Does anyone know of anyone that has been on it along time and the results?I'm just wondering why anyone with SD decided to use Gaba?
Colleen AB/SD NE
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
I was the one who decided to try GABA based on my internet research. Many of the findings and documents I have posted.The first time I tried it I took 750 mg in the morning. I thought it made me feel depressed, so I stopped. A few weeks later I tried another 750 mg tablet, and again I thought it made me feel depressed. After reading that Neurontin should be started gradually and taken in divided doses, I decided to try that with GABA. I broke the caplet in half and took one half in the morning and one half at night. My voice improved and I felt very calm. I am still taking it this way and have been taking it for about a month. Side effects: I am now very sensitive to Benadryl. Both times that I took one benadryl I was wiped out for two days - very sleepy, dehydrated, didn't feel good at all. Also, I noticed that I was dreaming more and recalling my dreams. These were playful dreams, not nightmares. Micki
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Are you also taking the niacinamide and inositol with the GABA? I've read if you take these together, it's a tranquilizing effect. Just curious.
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
I take a complete B Vitamin Supplement (B-100) plus a multivitamin, plus 600 mg calcium and 250 mg magnesium in the morning. I take EPA fish oil, E, and magnesium at night. The GABA I take half a 750 caplet morning and night.
Micki
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Colleen.
I, too, have a question about taking GABA. Don't think I have read any posts where anyone discussed taking this with their physician. Maybe I missed them, but I think it's important to know what you are doing when it involves taking anything that affects your health. Anyone have a doctor's opinion on using GABA? Barb AD/SD
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
Barbara, Good point and that is why we post the the "Caution" message which is the 3rd one down from the top. Lloyd Pearson
Re: GABA research -movement disorders - U of Alberta
I actually did speak with my neurologist before taking the GABA. Frankly he had not heard of it, but when I explained what it was, his reaction was that he thought it couldn't hurt. He thought it sounded like it was essentially doing the same thing that the Sinemet (L-dopamine/c-dopamine) combo that I take is doing. He suggested that I try taking it in addition to the Sinemet to see if it closes the gap on the last 15% of my voice that's still not there. So far, I've taken it for 3 days that way and I have not noticed any difference whatsoever (either in my voice or any side effects). I'm taking 1 750mg tab in the morning. Today I'm going to try it without the sinemet and see if I notice any difference. I'll keep you posted (pardon the pun!). -Karen
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