sodium-benzoate and Depressive-Disorder--Major

Currently, due to the large number of reports regarding the harmfulness of food additives, more and more consumers follow the so-called "clean label" trend, i.e., prefer and choose the least-processed food products. One of the compounds known as a preservative with a high safety profile is sodium benzoate. While some studies show that it can be used to treat conditions such as depression, pain, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases, others report its harmfulness. For example, it was found to cause mutagenic effects, generate oxidative stress, disrupt hormones, and reduce fertility. Due to such disparate results, the purpose of this study is to comprehensively discuss the safety profile of sodium benzoate and its potential use in neurodegenerative diseases, especially in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), and pain relief.

Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major; Humans; Nervous System; Pain; Sodium Benzoate

Compared with adults with depression in the general population, elderly depressive patients are prone to poor treatment response, more side effects, and early withdrawal with current antidepressants (which principally modulate monoamines). Whether N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor enhancement can benefit treatment of late-life depression deserves study. This study aims to compare sodium benzoate (a D-amino acid oxidase inhibitor and an indirect N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor enhancer), sertraline (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), and placebo in the treatment of late-life depression.. In this randomized, double-blind trial, 117 patients with major depressive disorder aged 55 years or older received 8-week treatment of 250-1500 mg/d of sodium benzoate, 25-150 mg/d of sertraline, or placebo in 2 medical centers. The primary outcome measures were Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Perceived Stress Scale scores.. Three treatments similarly decreased clinicians-rated Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores. Compared with placebo, sodium benzoate but not sertraline substantially improved Perceived Stress Scale scores and cognitive function. Sertraline, but not benzoate, significantly reduced self-report Geriatric Depression Scale scores. Benzoate and placebo showed similar safety profiles, while sertraline was more likely to raise low-density lipoprotein than benzoate and placebo. Benzoate-treated patients were less likely to drop out than sertraline or placebo recipients.. Sertraline can reduce subjective depressive symptoms, while benzoate can decrease perceived stress, improve cognitive function, and enhance treatment adherence in late-life depression patients. The results show promise for D-amino acid oxidase inhibition as a novel approach for perceived stress and cognitive decline among patients with late-life depression.. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03414931. Registered January 2016.

Topics: Aged; Cognition; Depressive Disorder, Major; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Middle Aged; Oxidoreductases; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Sertraline; Sodium Benzoate; Stress, Psychological; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Amygdala; Brain; Brain Stem; Depressive Disorder, Major; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Sodium Benzoate; Thalamus; Young Adult

Topics: Antifungal Agents; Brain; D-Amino-Acid Oxidase; Depressive Disorder, Major; Drug Monitoring; Female; Glutamic Acid; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Organ Size; Sodium Benzoate; Synaptic Transmission; Treatment Outcome