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A 12-weeks Study to Evaluate Sulforaphane in the Treatment of Depression

Efficacy of Adjunctive Sulforaphane for Depression: Study Protocol for a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04246905
Enrollment
90
Registered
2020-01-29
Start date
2020-07-15
Completion date
2021-12-31
Last updated
2020-08-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Depressive Disorder

Keywords

Sulforaphane, Depression, Fatigue, Cognition

Brief summary

Major depressive disorder is a serious, recurrent and disabling mental disorder, which is the second leading cause of years lost to disability worldwide. Accumulating evidence suggests the important role for inflammation and oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of depression. Sulforaphane extracted from broccoli sprout is an agent with potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Previous studies suggested sulforaphane activates Keap1-Nrf2 system to prevent depression-like phenotype in mice. In this study, the investigator attempts to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sulforaphane plus a fixed oral antipressant in adult participants diagnosed with depression.

Detailed description

A total of 90 patients aged 18-55 years with depression will be included, all of whom gave informed consent. Participants will receive 12 weeks of either sulforaphane or placebo per day, in addition to the existing treatment. Baseline assessments include demographics, a comprehensive medical history, anthropometric measurements (weight and height), physical examination, and lab work. Clinical symptoms will be assessed by the Montgomery-A° sberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Hamilton depressive scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The safety will be assessed by Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). The cognitive function will be evaluated by MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB)at the beginning of the study and at week 12. The cranial MRI is examined at baseline and repeated at week 12. The primary outcomes will be the effective time and the percentages of efficacy at 8 weeks, measured using the MADRS. Efficacy is defined as ≥50% decreases in the total score of MADRS. Secondary outcomes include global psychopathology, quality of life, functioning, cognition, biological data, safety and tolerability.

Interventions

DRUGsulforaphane

To examine the add-on effect of sulforaphane in depression patients with selective 5 - HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) treatment

OTHERplacedo

To examine the add-on effect of sulforaphane in depression patients with selective 5 - HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) treatment

DRUGselective 5 - HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)

To examine the add-on effect of sulforaphane in depression patients with selective 5 - HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) treatment

Sponsors

Central South University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Participants and researchers are blind to treatment allocation (double-blind). An independent researcher developed the computer-generated randomization plan.

Intervention model description

Patients will be treated with sulforaphane or placebo for 12 weeks after ramdomization.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* 18-55 years old * Clinical diagnosis of recurrent MDD or single-episode MDD with MADRS≥22, CGI-SI≥4 * be adherent to the continued oral antidepressant treatment medication

Exclusion criteria

* treatment-resistant depression * have known allergies, hypersensitivity, intolerance, or contraindications to SSRI or any of the trial preparations * strong homicidal ideation/intent * pregnancy

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change from baseline Montgomery-A° sberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at week 8baseline and week 8Range from 0-60, higher score indicates more severe symptoms

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes of Hamilton depressive scale (HAMD) from baseline to week 12Week 0 and week 12.Range from 24-75, higher score indicates more severe symptoms
the total scores of Hamilton depressive scale (HAMD)Week 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12.Range from 24-75, higher score indicates more severe symptoms
Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA)Week 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12.Range from 0-56, higher score indicates more severe symptoms
The total score of clinical global impression-severty of illness (CGI-SI)Week 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12.Range from 0-7, higher score indicates more severe symptoms
Change of MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB)from baseline to week 12Week 0, 12.To evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive sulforaphane treatment in improving cognitive functions. Higher score indicates better cognition

Countries

China

Contacts

Primary ContactRenrong Wu, M.D. Ph.D
wurenrong@csu.edu.cn+8615874179855
Backup ContactJing Huang, M.D.
jinghuangserena001@csu.edu.cn

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026