Posted 26 September 2011 - 03:13 AM

LTP is widely considered one of the major cellular mechanisms that underlies learning and memory.



Abstract Chemically induced long-term potentiation (cLTP) could potentially work by directly stimulating the biochemical machinery that underlies synaptic plasticity, bypassing the need for synaptic activation. Previous reports suggested that agents that raise cAMP concentration might have this capability. We examined the cLTP induced in acute slices by application of Sp-cAMPS or a combination of the adenylyl cyclase activator, forskolin, and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, rolipram. Under our conditions, cLTP was induced but only if inhibition was reduced. We found that this form of cLTP was blocked by a N-methyl- D -aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist and required the low-frequency test stimulation typically used to monitor the strength of synapses. Interestingly, similar LTP could be induced by lowering the Mg2+ concentration of the ACSF during forskolin/rolipram or Sp-cAMPS application or even by just lowering Mg2+ concentration alone. This LTP was also NMDAR dependent and required only a few (∼5) low-frequency stimuli for its induction. The finding that even low-frequency synaptic stimulation was sufficient for LTP induction indicates that a highly sensitized plasticity state was generated. The fact that some stimulation was required means that potentiation is probably restricted to the stimulated axons, limiting the usefulness of this form of cLTP. However, when similar experiments were conducted using slice cultures, potentiation occurred without test stimuli, probably because the CA3–CA1 connections are extensive and because presynaptic spontaneous activity is sufficient to fulfill the activity requirement. As in acute slices, the potentiation was blocked by an NMDAR antagonist. Our general conclusion is that the induction of LTP caused by elevating cAMP requires presynaptic activity and NMDA channel opening. The method of inducing cLTP in slice cultures will be useful when it is desirable to produce NMDAR-dependent LTP in a large fraction of synapses.

2x450 mg Now Artichoke Extract. Other artichoke extract brands have been reported to work too.

4mg of Forskolin from uncapping and weighing out the correct proportion of Better Body Sports 95% pure C-Bolic capsules. Other forskolin supplements have been reported to work too. To get the right amount of Forskolin from a C-Bolic capsule containing 25mg of forskolin you want to multiply the weight of the emptied out material by 4/25 to get 4mg of forskolin assuming it's evenly mixed.

500mg Phenylalanine (Lower doses work better for some)

B-Vitamin Complex

200mg Caffeine (Optional)

800mg ALCAR (Generally 200mg of ALCAR for every 1mg of forskolin)

350mg Jarrow N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (Possibly no longer necessary)

Improved mood and motivation

Increased ability to study and retain information

Improved long-term memory

Wow, interesting study I stumbled across. It's from 2004! Can't believe nobody brought it up before.Hello and welcome to the thread that spawned the CILTEP stack. That stands for "Chemically Induced Long TErm Potentiation". This summary is a work in progress.Here's my current stack:PDE 4 and others inhibition:cAMP Increase:Dopamine Metabolism Support ():For mitigating forskolin's effects on Acetylcholinesterase:An earlier recommendation before we started adding ALCAR to counteract forskolin's effects was to take the following in the afternoon:I don't take this now that I've added ALCAR to the stack.I have been taking the artichoke extract variant of this stack almost every day since late 2011 with only positive effects. There have been several attempts to replace Artichoke extract with other PDE4 inhibitors (Quercetin and/or Hesperidin) by myself and other forum users but they have not been tolerable for most people who have tried them.These are some of the effects myself and others have reported:Some people have reported nothing from taking the stack. Some users have reported tiredness after taking the stack for a while. With the later addition of dopamine metabolism supporting supplements and a forskolin dose of less than 5mg this has been less of an issue. Some users have reported diminished working memory while taking the stack, especially when taking higher does of forskolin or when taking the stack with Quercetin, which is not recommended.Please feel free to add your comments and questions to the thread. The stack is still in active development, as you will see if you visit the later portions of the thread. The thread is a great read and contains lots of interesting scientific and anecdotal information so enjoy it. Thanks!I have been experimenting with Zembrin as a replacement for Artichoke extract. Zembrin is an extract of the plant Sceletium Tortuosum (a.k.a Kanna). Sceletium Tortuosum grows natively in South Africa and has been used in traditional medicine there for centuries. One of its components, mesembrenone, is a potent and relatively selective PDE4 inhibitor. I have only been using this stack for about a week, but so far results are good. My initial post on the thread about Zembrin is here . I have also made several follow-up posts about my experience. Artichoke Extract is a lot cheaper than Zembrin so it may be a better option for people on a budget. Myself and other users have reported good results with various other Kanna preparations which are also cheaper than Zembrin, so that may be another option. Please note that Zembrin and Kanna affect serotonin via an SSRI like effect and thus should probably not be taken by people who are currently taking SSRIs or other serotonin affecting drugs.'Racetams that I and other forum users have anecdotally found to stack well with CILTEP: Piracetam, Phenylpiracetam.'Racetams that forum users have anecdotally found: Aniracetam'Racetams that have provided mixed results for I and other forum users and should probably be avoided with CILTEP: Sunifiram Myself and other forum users have had anecdotally positive effects from adding : p5p and NADH.Remember: Regardless of all these new developments, the basic artichoke stack still works just fine!Please note that I used Zembrinfor artichoke extract in the stack. I had some side effects when I took both together.I'm providing occasional updates and stack news at @ciltep on Twitter.Added ALCAR recommendation to the stack. Post #1 I was interviewed on the smartdrugsmarts.com podcastwith me is Roy Krebs of http://www.naturalstacks.com . Besides talking about the history and the mechanism of action of the stack and how awesome Longecity is we announced that we're going to be coming out this month with the first ever CILTEP all-in-one supplement!!I've posted some comments and errata over here With regards to cycling, I take the stack every day. Some people take the weekends off or only take CILTEP when they need it. When taking days off I usually supplement with N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine or L-Phenylalanine to avoid feeling less energetic than I would like.If you read the thread, there are a few reports of the stack reversing tolerance to stimulants and/or increasing their effects. I would avoid taking CILTEP and stimulants like nicotine together. I haven't had any issues with reasonable amounts of caffeine though.There has been some discussion of various possible additions to the stack along with some experiments with D1/D2 affecting herbals. Results have been mixed.Some have suggested that proper zinc and magnesium intake is required for optimal stack performance.

Edited by abelard lindsay, 14 March 2014 - 03:22 PM.