Posted by Larry Hoover on July 11, 2004, at 13:38:43
In reply to Lar...Taurine and mixed anxiety/depression, posted by jay on July 11, 2004, at 12:02:05
> Hey Larry...is there much evidence as to if Taurine plays a role in mental conditions? It seems to have anti-seizure properties, and also anti-anxiety benefits. Could you explain this a bit..if you don't mind? Thanks very much,
>
> JayThanks, Jay. I'm grateful for the question, for without it, I would not have moved taurine from my list of "I would like to try this", to my "I'm buying this tomorrow" list.
I only spent about a half hour digging stuff up, so there must surely be much that I have not yet considered. Here's a quick and dirty summary of taurine's effects.
The amino acid taurine has never been found in a mammalian protein (as far as I know, only as a dipeptide), yet it is found in relatively high concentrations in both blood plasma and brain tissues. Specific enzymes dedicated solely to its synthesis are found in high concentration in brain tissues. Why, you ask?
Taurine is a neuromodulator. It assists the brain in regulating the effects of neurotransmitters. There are dedicated taurine storage systems and uptake pumps at brain synapses.
Here's a quick list of some of its effects:
1. It normalizes norepinephrine stress response thresholds, which is to say, it reduces NE release if it is excessive, but does not affect it if the level is normal.
2. It has an additive effect to GABA release, probably by increasing total GABA response. It may also be a direct agonist at GABA(A) receptors.
3. It is an essential modulator of mitochondrial transfer-RNA, and normalizes defective ATP production in at least two mitochondrial energy disorders (i.e. it might help in chronic fatigue and fibromylagia).
4. It enhances endogenous opioid levels (beta-endorphin).
5. In the manner of mood-stabilizers, it regulates calcium flux in neurons.
6. It protects against excitatory neurotoxicity (as by glutamate).
7. It probably increases dopamine turnover.
8. It promotes neuroplasticity (e.g. in hippocampus).
9. It probably synergizes with zinc.
10. Taurine deficiency may be one of the critical triggers for alcoholism. Ethanol triggers taurine release in brain. Taurine supplements reduce alcohol seeking. The drug acamprosate, used to treat alcoholism, is calcium acetylhomotaurinate.
11. Taurine is a direct modulator of the HPA, via receptors in the hypothalamus.Will that do, for a start?
If I may be so bold, it may be that the adverse effects of chronic stress, and induction of some mood disorders, may arise from depletion of neuronal taurine stores. Taurine is a sulphur-bearing amino acid, and there are numerous others in that inter-related biochemical family (SAMe, methionine, homocysteine, cysteine) for which abnormal concentrations are also related to mood disorders. Taurine is synthesized from cysteine (which is found in whey protein), which may itself be synthesized from SAMe or homocysteine via the trans-sulphuration pathway (heavily dependent on vitamin B6).
Many years ago, it was private correspondence with a mood-disordered man, which triggered my interest in nutritional supplements as treatments for mental conditions. He was an ultra-rapid-cycling bipolar, with dysphoric mania (if I recall correctly, he also abused alcohol). No medical treatment stabilized his mood. Somehow, he came to experiment with taurine, and his mood stabilized for the first time in his life. Maybe this is coming full circle. Alan, if you're out there, buddy, I owe you large.
Brain taurine uptake is linear with plasma concentrations, so oral supps directly supplement brain stores, without fear of competition or other uptake considerations.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:364999
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040613/msgs/365023.html