NCT00977353

N-methylglycine (Sarcosine) Treatment for Depression

N-methylglycine (Sarcosine) for Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (actual)
• Sponsor: China Medical University Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Major depressive disorder is a complex disease and most currently available antidepressants aiming at monoamine neurotransmission exhibit limited efficacy and cognitive effects. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), one subtype of glutamate receptors, plays an important role in learning and memory. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) enhancing agents, such as sarcosine (N-methylglycine), have been used as adjunctive therapy of schizophrenia. Sarcosine improved not only psychotic but also depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. To confirm its antidepressant effect, the purpose of this study is to compare citalopram and sarcosine in efficacy for major depressive patients.

Detailed description

Major depressive disorder is a complex disease and most currently available antidepressants aiming at monoamine neurotransmission exhibit limited efficacy and cognitive effects. Novel therapies via manipulating other neurotransmission (e.g. glutamate receptor) are being developed. NMDA enhancing agents, such as sarcosine have been demonstrated to improve negative symptoms and depressive symptoms of schizophrenic patients. The purpose of this study is to compare citalopram and sarcosine in aspects of efficacy, safety in major depressive patients. In the study, 40 major depressive patients are recruited into the 6-week trial and randomly assigned into the two groups (20-60 mg/d citalopram, or 500 - 1500 mg/d sarcosine) with a double-blind manner. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(17-item), CGI(Clinical Global Impression), GAF(Global Assessment of Function)and side effects are evaluated every two weeks during the trial. The efficacies of two groups are compared.

Conditions

• Major Depressive Disorder
• Depression
• Major Depression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	citalopram	20-60 mg/day, oral, for 6 weeks
DRUG	sarcosine	500-1500 mg/day, oral, for 6 weeks

Timeline

• Start date: 2009-04-01
• Primary completion: 2011-07-01
• Completion: 2011-07-01
• First posted: 2009-09-15
• Last updated: 2011-07-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Taiwan