{"id":10897,"date":"2023-03-17T14:00:21","date_gmt":"2023-03-17T21:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=10897"},"modified":"2024-10-25T11:00:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T18:00:35","slug":"gaba-lessens-anxiety-agitation-and-defiance-in-98-year-old-mother-who-has-been-sundowning-for-a-couple-of-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/gaba-lessens-anxiety-agitation-and-defiance-in-98-year-old-mother-who-has-been-sundowning-for-a-couple-of-years\/","title":{"rendered":"GABA lessens anxiety, agitation and defiance in 98 year old mother who has been \u201csundowning\u201d for a couple of years"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"gaba<\/p>\n

Marsha shared this feedback on one of the blogs, saying that GABA lessens anxiety in her 98 year old mother:<\/p>\n

My mother is 98 and has been \u201csundowning\u201d for a couple of years. It starts around 3pm, sometimes earlier. Some days it\u2019s no big deal. It is on those other days when she starts and then it goes to anxiety, agitation, then she can get sort of defiant which is so not her. She is a gentle soul, friendly, and kind so this is difficult on her as well as our family.<\/p>\n

I just started to use my pestle and mortar to crush up a 125 mg GABA CALM supplement (Source Naturals) and I mix a little into her flavored yogurt when I start to see her having difficulty. I give it to her throughout the day. She only gets the 125 mg amount so I feel safe with that.<\/p>\n

I believe that I do notice it lessens her anxiety. I pray that this will be helpful for her because that anxiety can be really draining for her. I will keep you posted. I have not noticed any adverse reactions. Thank you Trudy for all your info.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Anxiety, fear and agitation in sundowning syndrome: circadian dysfunction and low GABA<\/h2>\n

I responded, saying how wonderful to hear that she is noticing supplemental GABA lessens her mother\u2019s anxiety (and presumably her agitation and defiance too). And I shared that GABA may be involved in sundowning syndrome.<\/p>\n

This paper<\/a> describes \u201csundowning syndrome,\u201d as \u201ca poorly understood (and even controversial) clinical phenomenon in Alzheimer\u2019s and dementia patients that is characterized by agitation, aggression, and delirium during the late afternoon and early evening hours.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The authors are focusing on potential pathways for circadian rhythm – physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle – dysfunction in sundowning. They also mention the presence of fear and anxiety and the fact that there is a circadian aspect of these emotional processes.<\/p>\n

What is interesting is that the \u201cmaster circadian pacemaker<\/em>\u201d i.e. \u201cthe suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus<\/em>\u201d has impacts on both GABA and serotonin, and also dopamine and orexin (involved in sleep-wake processes).<\/p>\n

Given the circadian aspect addressed in the above paper, \u201cproperly timed light exposure<\/em>\u201d i.e. early morning sunlight, is also worth exploring.<\/p>\n

This paper, Implications of GABAergic Neurotransmission in Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/a>, focuses onGABA and shares that \u201cof the two major types of synapses in the central nervous system (CNS): glutamatergic and GABAergic, which provide excitatory and inhibitory outputs respectively, abundant data implicate an impaired glutamatergic system during disease progression.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

The amino acid GABA helps to ease anxiety symptoms and agitation and restlessness, also helping with disturbed sleep.<\/p>\n

GABA Calm dosing in the elderly with sundowning syndrome: my observations<\/h2>\n

I also expressed how this is a smart way to use the GABA Calm. I\u2019m going to make some assumptions and share my observations:<\/p>\n