An emerging body of evidence supports a role for dysfunctional purinergic related neurotransmission in mood disorders \[1, 2\]. Adenosine agonists have been shown to have properties similar to those of dopamine antagonists and there is a well characterized antagonistic interaction between adenosine and dopamine receptors in the ventral striatum. Increased adenosynergic transmission has been demonstrated to reduce the affinity of dopamine agonists for dopamine receptors. It has been theorized that adenosine may exert some of its antipsychotic effects through modulation of glutamatergic transmission.
Two double-blind, randomized, add-on, placebo-controlled trials comparing allopurinol and placebo in acute mania have showed statistically significant greater improvements in YMRS scores in the allopurinol vs. placebo groups. These empiric data, together with the theoretical and basic science background cited, provide the impetus for this proposed study.
