Triacetyluridine (TAU) decreases depressive symptoms and increases brain pH in bipolar patients.
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.
Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478-9106, USA. ejensen@mclean.harvard.edu
J Eric
JE
Jensen
Melissa
M
Daniels
Charlotte
C
Haws
Nicolas R
NR
Bolo
In Kyoon
IK
Lyoo
Sujung J
SJ
Yoon
Bruce M
BM
Cohen
Andrew L
AL
Stoll
James R
JR
Rusche
Perry F
PF
Renshaw
D000085:Acetates; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010725:Phosphocreatine / Q000378:metabolism; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014529:Uridine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000085:Acetates; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010725:Phosphocreatine; C000609666:uridine triacetate; D014529:Uridine