Effects of a branched-chain amino acid drink in mania.
BACKGROUND
Administration of a complex tyrosine-free amino acid drink acutely decreases manic symptoms. Although a nutrient-based approach to illness management is attractive, complex amino acid drinks are too unpalatable for repeated administration.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether a simple, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) drink diminishes manic symptoms acutely and following repeated administration.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with mania were randomly and blindly allocated to treatment with BCAA (60 g) or placebo daily for 7 days.


RESULTS
Relative to placebo, the BCAA drink lowered mania ratings acutely over the first 6 h of treatment. In protocol completers there was a persistent advantage to the BCAA group 1 week after the end of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
A nutritional intervention that decreases tyrosine availability to the brain acutely ameliorates manic symptoms. Further studies are required to assess whether this approach has longer-term efficacy.
Scarna
A
A
University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, UK. anna.scarna@psych.ox.ac.uk
Gijsman
H J
HJ
McTavish
S F B
SF
Harmer
C J
CJ
Cowen
P J
PJ
Goodwin
G M
GM
D000328:Adult; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001628:Beverages; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007532:Isoleucine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007930:Leucine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000172:deficiency; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D007532:Isoleucine; D014443:Tyrosine; D007930:Leucine; D014633:Valine