Bipolar II disorder is a less extreme form of Bipolar I, historically called manic depression. In bipolar II, individuals experience mood swings, but they do not enter into a true manic or depressive episode. A hypomanic episode, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-IV-TR, is "a mood state which like mania is characterized by persistent and pervasive elated or irritable mood." However, in hypomania, functionality remains intact and there is no psychosis. Given the range of areas that may be affected by bipolar II, scientists have looked at the role of compounds such as taurine in terms of treatment and etiology.
What Is Taurine?
Taurine is an amino acid that is thought to play a role in neurological development. It also helps regulate various minerals and water levels in blood cells. Some research suggests that taurine may enhance athletic performance, which is why it is often added to sports and energy drinks. The acid naturally occurs in fish, some meats and breast milk. Given the suspected performance-enhancing properties of taurine, scientists have started to study its role in mental health.
Taurine, Caffeine and Mental Health
In 2001, when the market was flooded with various sports drinks and vitamin waters, scientists in the United Kingdom studied the effects of these drinks on cognition and mood. They created two groups and gave one a caffeinated taurine beverage and the other, a sugar-based placebo. They then tested the two groups in terms of mood, memory and other various cognitive exercises. Their results, which were published in the journal "Psychopharmacology," revealed that though no differences in mood were found, the treatment group had improved executive functioning when compared to the placebo.
Taurine and Neuropsychiatric Outcomes
In 2008, researchers at the University of Minnesota investigated the role of taurine in mood and cognition by looking at its role in management of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including those associated with mood. The study used mice and treated different groups with varying doses of taurine and then exposed them to stress and mood-changing situations. Their results, which were published in the "Israeli Journal of Psychiatry Related Sciences," revealed that taurine did not impact anxiety, depression or stimulation. As such, the compound's role in managing mood swings is unclear.
Is Taurine Harmful?
Given the large number of taurine products on the market in the form of energy drinks, scientists in Miami recently looked at the impact of such products on children and teenagers. Their research, which was published in a 2011 edition of the journal "Pediatrics," found that drinks with ingredients such as and including taurine have no positive effect on mood and/or performance and in fact may be toxic. Overall, there is no link at the date of this publication in July 2011 suggesting that taurine enhances mood. Furthermore, it is not FDA approved for the treatment of bipolar II disorder.
References
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition; The American Psychiatric Association; 1994
- "Psychopharmacology"; An Evaluation of a Caffeinated Taurine Drink on Mood, Memory and Information Processing in Healthy Volunteers Without Caffeine Abstinence; D.M. Wharburton, et al.; 2001
- "Israeli Journal of Psychiatry Related Sciences"; Taurine Trials in Animal Models Offer No Support for Anxiolytic, Antidepressant or Stimulant Effects; B.K. Whirley and H. Einat; 2008
- "Pediatrics"; Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents and Young Adults; S.M. Seifert, et al.; 2011
