A recently published narrative review has examined the preclinical and clinical literature of SAMe’s effects on major depressive disorders (MDD), pain disorders, fatigue, cognition and memory, dementia, and other disorders to highlight the potential benefit of the supplement for those suffering from post-concussive sequelae in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).1
Combined with a favourable side effect profile, as well as being an over-the-counter supplement that is recognised as generally safe, SAMe may have better acceptance with active-duty service members compared with psychotropic medications.
Given its role in cognition and memory seen in preclinical and clinical studies of cognition, along with epigenetic factors associated with DNA methylation status, there’s potential the supplement may be beneficial in treating cognitive complaints seen in TBI and may decrease the risk of development of dementia.
Although the review focused on military TBI, the usefulness of SAMe would extend to both civilian and military populations.
Since the year 2000, more than 413,000 service members have sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI), with the majority suffering from injury considered mild (83–86%).
Exposure to repetitive artillery rounds, even without clear head injury or alteration of consciousness, may be a risk factor for development of TBI, research has reportedly shown.
Numerous studies reviewed the role SAMe plays in cellular energetic imbalances, amino acid alterations, and oxidative stress, which may implicate the connection between SAMe and concussion.
The potential benefit of SAMe in patients with mTBI may highlight how the supplement might mitigate the consequences and impact of increased energy demands of the injured brain.
Lorena Carboni, Product Manager of Adonat Premium SAMe, from Gnosis by Lesaffre said: “The research on SAMe does not stop, highlighting and coming to light more and more on the implications of its metabolism alterations on our brain health and on our brain’s ability to counteract the negative stimuli during life. How described by the Authors, this narrative review serves as the rationale for future open-label and double-blind placebo-controlled trials in military mTBI and SAMe.”
Reference
1. D.A. Schieffler and S.E. Matta, "Evidence to Support the Use of S-Adenosylmethionine for Treatment of Post-Concussive Sequelae in the Military," Mil. Med. (2021): doi: 10.1093/milmed/usab130.
