Association between taurine level in the hippocampus and major depressive disorder in young women: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 7 Tesla

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure. Generally, women are twice as likely as men to have depression. Taurine, a type of amino acid, plays critical roles in neuronal generation, differentiation, arborization and formation of synaptic connections. Importantly, it enhances proliferation and synaptogenesis in the hippocampus. When injected into animals, taurine has an antidepressant effect. However, there is no in vivo evidence to show the association between taurine concentration in the human brain and development of MDD.
Source: Biological Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Archival Report Source Type: research