Red Bull additive improves symptoms of first-episode psychosis

Adjunctive taurine in addition to a low-dose antipsychotic improved first-episode psychosis symptoms among young adults, according to data presented at the International Early Psychosis Association meeting.

To assess efficacy of taurine, an inhibitory neuromodulatory amino-acid in the central nervous system, as an adjunctive treatment for first-episode psychosis, researchers conducted a phase 3, multi-center, parallel, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial among individuals aged 18 to 25 years with a DSM-IV diagnosis of first-episode psychotic disorder. Study participants were randomly assigned to receive 4 g of adjunctive taurine (n = 47) or placebo (n = 39) for 12 weeks plus low-dose antipsychotic medication prescribed by their doctor. Assessments occurred at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks.

Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) total scores improved over 12 weeks (95% CI, 1.8-8.5; P = .004).

There were no group differences in MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery composite cognitive scores over 12 weeks (95% CI, –1.7 to 1).

Participants who received taurine exhibited improvements on BPRS psychotic subscale (95% CI, 0.1-1.5; P = .026), depression on the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (95% CI, 0.1-3; P = .047) and functioning on the Global Assessment of Functioning (95% CI, 0.3-8.8; P = .04) scores.

Adverse effects were low among both treatment groups, according to researchers. However, groups significantly differed on the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser psychic item 2 for asthenia/lassitude/increased fatigability, favoring the taurine group (P = .006).

“Although taurine supplementation did not improve cognition, it appears to improve core symptoms and depression in patients with [first-episode psychosis]. The use of taurine warrants further investigation in larger randomized studies, particularly early in the course of psychosis,” the researchers said in a press release. – by Amanda Oldt

Reference:

O’Donnell C, et al. Phase 2, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of adjunctive taurine in first-episode psychosis. Presented at: International Early Psychosis Association Annual Meeting; Oct. 20-22, 2016; Milan.

Disclosure: The study was supported by a Stanley Medical Research Institute grant.