Description
L-Theanine is an amino acid that can be found in Camellia and Boletus; it is a glutamic acid analog. L-theanine exhibits neuroprotective, cognition enhancing, anxiolytic, and antipsychotic activities. L-Theanine is a weak agonist at AMPA and NMDA receptors, increasing brain DA, 5-HT, and GABA levels. This compound improves memory, cognition, mood, and attention in clinical settings. In animal models of cerebral ischemia, L-theanine inhibits apoptosis of hippocampal neurons, improving spatial memory.
References
Park SK, Jung IC, Lee WK, et al. A combination of green tea extract and l-theanine improves memory and attention in subjects with mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Med Food. 2011 Apr;14(4):334-43. PMID: 21303262.
Ritsner MS, Miodownik C, Ratner Y, et al. L-theanine relieves positive, activation, and anxiety symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-center study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2011 Jan;72(1):34-42. PMID: 21208586.
Haskell CF, Kennedy DO, Milne AL, et al. The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood. Biol Psychol. 2008 Feb;77(2):113-22. PMID: 18006208.
Egashira N, Ishigami N, Pu F, et al. Theanine prevents memory impairment induced by repeated cerebral ischemia in rats. Phytother Res. 2008 Jan;22(1):65-8. PMID: 17705146.
Nathan PJ, Lu K, Gray M, et al. The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent. J Herb Pharmacother. 2006;6(2):21-30. PMID: 17182482.
