PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Jonathan J. Caine AU - Thomas D. Geracioti TI - Taurine, energy drinks, and neuroendocrine effects AID - 10.3949/ccjm.83a.15050 DP - 2016 Dec 01 TA - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine PG - 895--904 VI - 83 IP - 12 4099 - http://www.ccjm.org/content/83/12/895.short 4100 - http://www.ccjm.org/content/83/12/895.full SO - Cleve Clin J Med2016 Dec 01; 83 AB - Taurine is an amino acid found abundantly in brain, retina, heart, and reproductive organ cells, as well as in meat and seafood. But it is also a major ingredient in popular "energy drinks," which thus constitute a major source of taurine supplementation. Unfortunately, little is known about taurine’s neuroendocrine effects. The authors review the sparse data and provide a basic background on the structure, synthesis, distribution, metabolism, mechanisms, effects, safety, and currently proposed therapeutic targets of taurine.