New Substances Being Tested in Depressive Illnesses

By Lucy Boyd RN BSN, Sat, December 04, 2010

Scientists at the University of Utah Brain Institute are experimenting with two "natural" substances to treat adolescents with drug-resistant major depression and bipolar disorder. According to a recent article, the scientists are giving the teens small doses of uridine and creatine in addition to traditional medication for the depressive disorders.

Uridine is a substance found in breast milk that functions in carbohydrate metabolism while creatine is an amino acid that provides energy to nerve cells and muscles. While uridine is crucial to brain development, creatine works to increase energy - a combination these scientists feel may help depression drugs work more effectively.

Perry Renshaw, M.D., Ph.D is quoted as saying that the adolescents are experiencing a 50 percent reduction in depression symptoms within two weeks of treatment. These results seem significant, particularly considering this group wasn't responding to standard treatment for major depression or bipolar disorder. It isn't clear whether results would be similar for adults, or if the substances only work in the developing adolescent brain. Clinical trails may be forthcoming to answer this question.

Those who aren't receiving adequate relief from standard drug treatment should remain alert for future research involving these substances. It is not advised to begin taking uridine or creatine without physician approval.

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