deanol

Deanol, also known as 2-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), is a small molecule that serves as a metabolic precursor to choline and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Historically, it was developed and marketed as a prescription medication, most notably under the brand name Deaner, for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and various movement disorders, including tardive dyskinesia and levodopa-induced dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease. The therapeutic rationale was based on the hypothesis that deanol could cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively than choline to increase central cholinergic activity. However, clinical trials in the 1970s yielded inconsistent results, and the FDA eventually withdrew approval for its primary indications in 1983 due to a lack of evidence of effectiveness. Currently, deanol is primarily available as a dietary supplement and is often included in multivitamin and nootropic formulations for purported cognitive enhancement.

Brand names

DeanerPharmatonDiferein

Other names

2-dimethylaminoethanolDMAEdimethylethanolaminedeanol acetamidobenzoatep-acetamidobenzoic acid compound with 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol