Triacetyluridine (TAU) Decreases Depressive Symptoms and Increases Brain pH in Bipolar Patients

  • J. Eric Jensen
  • , Melissa Daniels
  • , Charlotte Haws
  • , Nicolas R. Bolo
  • , In Kyoon Lyoo
  • , Sujung J. Yoon
  • , Bruce M. Cohen
  • , Andrew L. Stoll
  • , James R. Rusche
  • , Perry F. Renshaw

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Eleven patients with bipolar depression were given doses of up to 18 g per day of triacetyluridine (TAU) over 6 weeks to test the effect of uridine on symptoms of depression via Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS; Asberg, Montgomery, Perris, Schalling, & Sedvall, 1978) scores and on cellular bioenergetics using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (31P-MRSI). All patients and comparison participants (n = 9) completed baseline 31P-MRSI scans, and 9 patients completed posttherapy scans. The percentage changes for MADRS scores (Week 2, -23.8; Week 3, -34.9; Week 4, -42.5) and the time effects of TAU on MADRS scores (Week 2, z = -2.07, p = .039; Week 3, z = -4.28, p < .001; Week 4, z = -4.54, p < .001) may reflect TAU effects on early symptom improvement. TAU responders (patients who had a 50% or greater reduction in MADRS scores from baseline at any time) demonstrated a significant difference from nonresponders in pH changes from baseline (effect size = 150). These results suggest that TAU treatment may decrease symptoms of depression and improve mitochondrial functioning.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)199-206
Number of pages8
JournalExperimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
Volume16
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2008

Keywords

  • bipolar disorder
  • brain
  • hydrogen-ion concentration (pH)
  • phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (P-MRS)
  • triacetyluridine (TAU)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Triacetyluridine (TAU) Decreases Depressive Symptoms and Increases Brain pH in Bipolar Patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this