Taurine in Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder

Summary

Recently, McLean hospital conducted a 4 month taurine study which showed a reduction in mania ratings. As a follow-up to the preliminary taurine study, and complementary to the currently ongoing double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for taurine in adults with bipolar disorder, this study will target adolescent bipolar subjects (type I) with symptoms of mania or mixed mania. To our knowledge, this would be the first study to evaluate the effects of the novel compound taurine in adolescent subjects with bipolar disorder. We hypothesize there will be a positive response in some adolescents from taurine treatment, and this positive response will be greater than that expected by chance. This study may demonstrate that taurine is a well-tolerated and effective adjunct treatment for mania in bipolar disorder.

Timeline

Start

2006-02

Primary completion

2007-08

Completion

2007-08

Publications

• Background Redmond HP, Stapleton PP, Neary P, Bouchier-Hayes D. Immunonutrition: the role of taurine. Nutrition. 1998 Jul-Aug;14(7-8):599-604. doi: 10.1016/s0899-9007(98)00097-5.
• Background Stoll AL, Severus WE, Freeman MP, Rueter S, Zboyan HA, Diamond E, Cress KK, Marangell LB. Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder: a preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999 May;56(5):407-12. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.56.5.407.
• Background Thornton L, Griffin E. Evaluation of a taurine containing amino acid solution in parenteral nutrition. Arch Dis Child. 1991 Jan;66(1 Spec No):21-5. doi: 10.1136/adc.66.1_spec_no.21.
• Background Van Gelder NM, Sherwin AL, Sacks C, Anderman F. Biochemical observations following administration of taurine to patients with epilepsy. Brain Res. 1975 Aug 29;94(2):297-306. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(75)90063-3.

Drugs

Indications