CClinicalTrials.gg
Status unknownNCT04179006Updated Sep 10, 2021

Effects of Nutrients Supplementation in Antidepressant Treated Depressive Disorder Patients

An interventional study of LF/Erinacine A-enriched Hericium/Plain chocolate + antidepressant(s) in Depressive Disorder, Major, sponsored by National Cheng-Kung University Hospital. Status unknown at 1 site in Taiwan. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 70 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-09-10.

Sponsored by National Cheng-Kung University Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

The sponsor has not verified this record recently (last verified Sep 2021), so the status shown — last known as Recruiting — may be out of date.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
120
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
20 Years to 70 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled to evaluate the potential role of nutrients supplementation (LF chocolate /Erinacine A-enriched Hericium Erinaceus chocolate) on the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressants in major depressive disorder(MDD).

120 subjects who meet all the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be randomized into three categories, receiving 3 pieces of supplement nutrients-added or plain chocolates per day for a period of 24 weeks in total. The three categories are as follow:

  1. LF chocolate
  2. Erinacine A-enriched Hericium Erinaceus chocolate
  3. Plain chocolate without any supplementary nutrients added (placebo group) These MDD patients will continue their antidepressant regimen throughout the study.

Symptom rating, blood samples for antidepressant-related/depressive disorder-related genome profiles identification, as well as for biomarkers assessment for metabolic indices, questionnaires and tests for psychosocial variables identification and patient's cognitive and social cognitive function or performance determination, will be carried out before and at certain time points within the 24-week tracking period. Patient's fecal samples will be acquired to recognize and to distinguish the alterations of these MDD patients microbiota profiles over the 24-week period.

Read the detailed description

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, severe, and often life-threatening illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. Recent reports suggested that immune dysfunction could be linked with cognitive impairment and metabolic comorbidities, and accumulating evidence suggested that the regulation of the microbiota- gut-brain axis has been shown to impact inflammation and to affect brain function.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled is to evaluate the potential role of nutrients supplementation (LF chocolate /Erinacine A-enriched Hericium Erinaceus chocolate) on the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressants in major depressive disorder(MDD). 120 MDD outpatients (aged 20-70 years) from the National Cheng Kung University Hospital who meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) scores ≥ 7, receiving fluoxetine or venlafaxine so as SSRI or SNRI antidepressants will be enrolled.

Subjects who meet all the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be randomized into three categories, with 40 subjects each, receiving 3 pieces of supplement nutrients-added or plain chocolates (placebo) manufactured by GRAPE KING BIO LTD per day for a period of 24 weeks in total. The three categories are as follow:

  1. LF chocolate
  2. Erinacine A-enriched Hericium Erinaceus chocolate
  3. Plain chocolate without any supplementary nutrients added (placebo group) These MDD patients will continue their antidepressant regimen throughout the study. Follow-up visits will be arranged at week no. 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24, in which week no. 0, 4, 12 and 24 will be the four most important re-visit timing.

Various assessments or tests will be arranged in these 24-week period. Symptom rating with 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) by psychiatrist will be done at every visits. Blood samples for antidepressant-related/depressive disorder-related genome profiles identification, as well as for biomarkers assessment for metabolic indices, will be obtained at week no. 0, 4, 12 and 24. Questionnaires aimed for psychosocial variables (environmental factors) identification including social support scales (SSS), quality of life scale (QOLs) and Recent life changes questionnaire (RCLQ) will be self-answered by patients. Continuous Performance Test (CPT), finger-Tapping Test (FPT) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) will be utilized to evaluate their cognitive performance. Mayer-Salovey-Caruso emotional Intelligent Test (MSCEIT) will help in social cognitive function assessment. Patient's fecal samples will be acquired at week no. 0, 4, 12 and 24 to recognize and to distinguish the alterations in MDD patients microbiota profiles.

02

Conditions studied

  • Depressive Disorder, Major

Keywords

  • Major depressive disorder
  • Supplement nutrients
  • Antidepressants
03

In context

Depressive Disorder

4,845 studies on the registry are indexed under Depressive Disorder; 514 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 120 is above the median of 80 across 3,999 interventional studies indexed under Depressive Disorder.

Browse Depressive Disorder studies →

Lead sponsor

National Cheng-Kung University Hospital is the lead sponsor of 268 studies on the registry; 68 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 70 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Major depressive disorder (MDD) outpatients meet DSM- criteria
  • Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) ≥ 7
  • Start to receive fluoxetine or venlafaxine or those who have received the SSRI or SNRI antidepressants

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • (A) had DSM-5 diagnosis for substance abuse within the past three months;
  • (B) had taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors;
  • (C) had an organic mental disorder, mental retardation, dementia, or other diagnosed neurological illness;
  • (D) had a surgical condition or a major physical illness;
  • (E) pregnant or breast-feeding.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
120 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    LF chocolate + antidepressant(s)

    Participants with LF chocolate add-on to their antidepressants regimen.

    Dietary Supplement: LF/Erinacine A-enriched Hericium/Plain chocolate + antidepressant(s)

  • Active comparator
    Erinacine A-enriched Hericium chocolate + antidepressant(s)

    Participants with Erinacine A-enriched Hericium chocolate add-on to their antidepressants regimen.

    Dietary Supplement: LF/Erinacine A-enriched Hericium/Plain chocolate + antidepressant(s)

  • Placebo comparator
    Plain chocolate + antidepressant(s)

    Participants with plain chocolate add-on to their antidepressants regimen.

    Dietary Supplement: LF/Erinacine A-enriched Hericium/Plain chocolate + antidepressant(s)

Interventions

  • Dietary supplementLF/Erinacine A-enriched Hericium/Plain chocolate + antidepressant(s)

    3 pieces per day

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in participant's Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score

    Depressive symptom rating; 21 items int total, eight items are scored on a 5-point scale, ranging from 0 = not present to 4 = severe, while nine are scored from 0-2; \[higher scores denote worse symptoms/signs of depression\]

    Time frame: week no. 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24

  2. Change in participant's BW(kg), Height(cm), Waist circumference(cm), BMI (kg/m2)

    Metabolic indices; BW (to the nearest 0.1 kg), height (to the nearest 0.1 cm), and waist circumference (to the nearest 0.1 cm), weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2

    Time frame: week no. 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24

  3. Change in participant's Glucose profiles

    Metabolic indices; HbA1c(%)+Fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl)+Fasting serum insulin concentrations (uIU/ml)+Homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index+Homeostasis model of assessment for pancreatic β-cell secretory function (HOMA-β) {HOMA- IR= \[fasting plasma insulin level (uIn/ml)\*fasting plasma glucose level (mg/dl)/405\]; HOMA- IR ≥2.5 =\> Insulin resistance (+)} {HOMA-β= (360× fasting serum insulin \[uIn/ml\]) / (fasting plasma glucose \[mg/dL\] -63)}

    Time frame: week no. 0, 4, 12, 24

  4. Change in participant's Fasting serum leptin level (ng/mL)

    Metabolic indices

    Time frame: week no. 0, 4, 12, 24

  5. Change in participant's Fasting serum lipid profiles

    Metabolic indices; including Fasting total cholesterol(mg/dL), High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol(mg/dL), Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol(mg/dL), Triglyceride (TG) concentration(mg/dL)

    Time frame: week no. 0, 4, 12, 24

  6. Change in participant's Cortisol(ug/dL) level

    Metabolic indices

    Time frame: week no. 0, 4, 12, 24

  7. Change in participant's C-peptide(ng/dL)

    Metabolic indices

    Time frame: week no. 0, 4, 12, 24

  8. Change in participant's Inflammatory cytokines levels

    Metabolic indices; Fasting plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) level (pg/mL) + Oxytocin(pg/mL) + Leptin(mg/mL)

    Time frame: week no. 0, 4, 12, 24

  9. Change in participants's Quality of life scale (QOLs) scores [WHOQOL-BREF]

    Psychosocial variables as environment factors; Quality of Life Scale developed through the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) \& Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) questionnaires will be used as assessment tools WHOQOL-BREF: 4 domains will be assessed, consists of 1. Physical Health 2. Psychological 3. Social Relationship 4. Environment; \[higher scores in each domains denote higher quality of life\]

    Time frame: week no. 0, 4, 12, 24

  10. Change in participants's Quality of life scale (QOLs) scores [HRQOL]

    Psychosocial variables as environment factors; Quality of Life Scale developed through the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) \& Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) questionnaires will be used as assessment tools HRQOL: 4 domains will be assessed, consists of 1. Physical Health 2. Psychological 3. Level of independence 4. Social Relationship \[higher scores in each domains denote higher quality of life\]

    Time frame: week no. 0, 4, 12, 24

  11. Change in participant's Cognitive performance

    Continuous Performance Test (CPT)\[visual information processing \& attentive capacity\], Finger Tapping Test (FPT), Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test (WCST)

    Time frame: week no. 0, 12, 24

  12. Change in participant's Social cognitive functional performance

    Mayer-Salovey-Caruso emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) scores; perceiving + facilitating + understanding + managing emotion

    Time frame: week no. 0, 12, 24

  13. Change in participant's Microbiota profiles

    Fecal samples; Types of microorganisms + no. of colonies (colony-forming unit, CFU)

    Time frame: week no. 0, 12, 24

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Byers AL, Yaffe K. Depression and risk of developing dementia. Nat Rev Neurol. 2011 May 3;7(6):323-31. doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2011.60. PubMed 21537355 ↗
  • Gorska-Ciebiada M, Saryusz-Wolska M, Ciebiada M, Loba J. Mild cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms in elderly patients with diabetes: prevalence, risk factors, and comorbidity. J Diabetes Res. 2014;2014:179648. doi: 10.1155/2014/179648. Epub 2014 Nov 9. PubMed 25431771 ↗
  • Chang HH, Chi MH, Lee IH, Tsai HC, Gean PW, Yang YK, Lu RB, Chen PS. The change of insulin levels after six weeks antidepressant use in drug-naive major depressive patients. J Affect Disord. 2013 Sep 5;150(2):295-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.04.008. Epub 2013 May 9. PubMed 23664565 ↗
  • Howren MB, Lamkin DM, Suls J. Associations of depression with C-reactive protein, IL-1, and IL-6: a meta-analysis. Psychosom Med. 2009 Feb;71(2):171-86. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181907c1b. Epub 2009 Feb 2. PubMed 19188531 ↗
  • Chang HH, Lee IH, Gean PW, Lee SY, Chi MH, Yang YK, Lu RB, Chen PS. Treatment response and cognitive impairment in major depression: association with C-reactive protein. Brain Behav Immun. 2012 Jan;26(1):90-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2011.07.239. Epub 2011 Aug 4. PubMed 21839826 ↗
  • Hiles SA, Baker AL, de Malmanche T, Attia J. Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and interleukin-10 after antidepressant treatment in people with depression: a meta-analysis. Psychol Med. 2012 Oct;42(10):2015-26. doi: 10.1017/S0033291712000128. Epub 2012 Feb 16. PubMed 22336436 ↗
  • Fabbri C, Porcelli S, Serretti A. From pharmacogenetics to pharmacogenomics: the way toward the personalization of antidepressant treatment. Can J Psychiatry. 2014 Feb;59(2):62-75. doi: 10.1177/070674371405900202. PubMed 24881125 ↗
  • Antypa N, Drago A, Serretti A. Genomewide interaction and enrichment analysis on antidepressant response. Psychol Med. 2014 Mar;44(4):753-65. doi: 10.1017/S0033291713001554. Epub 2013 Jul 1. PubMed 23809733 ↗
  • Biernacka JM, Sangkuhl K, Jenkins G, Whaley RM, Barman P, Batzler A, Altman RB, Arolt V, Brockmoller J, Chen CH, Domschke K, Hall-Flavin DK, Hong CJ, Illi A, Ji Y, Kampman O, Kinoshita T, Leinonen E, Liou YJ, Mushiroda T, Nonen S, Skime MK, Wang L, Baune BT, Kato M, Liu YL, Praphanphoj V, Stingl JC, Tsai SJ, Kubo M, Klein TE, Weinshilboum R. The International SSRI Pharmacogenomics Consortium (ISPC): a genome-wide association study of antidepressant treatment response. Transl Psychiatry. 2015 Apr 21;5(4):e553. doi: 10.1038/tp.2015.47. Erratum In: Transl Psychiatry. 2016 Nov 1;6(11):e937. doi: 10.1038/tp.2016.187. PubMed 25897834 ↗
  • Rogers GB, Keating DJ, Young RL, Wong ML, Licinio J, Wesselingh S. From gut dysbiosis to altered brain function and mental illness: mechanisms and pathways. Mol Psychiatry. 2016 Jun;21(6):738-48. doi: 10.1038/mp.2016.50. Epub 2016 Apr 19. PubMed 27090305 ↗
  • Soto M, Herzog C, Pacheco JA, Fujisaka S, Bullock K, Clish CB, Kahn CR. Gut microbiota modulate neurobehavior through changes in brain insulin sensitivity and metabolism. Mol Psychiatry. 2018 Dec;23(12):2287-2301. doi: 10.1038/s41380-018-0086-5. Epub 2018 Jun 18. PubMed 29910467 ↗
  • Jiang H, Ling Z, Zhang Y, Mao H, Ma Z, Yin Y, Wang W, Tang W, Tan Z, Shi J, Li L, Ruan B. Altered fecal microbiota composition in patients with major depressive disorder. Brain Behav Immun. 2015 Aug;48:186-94. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.03.016. Epub 2015 Apr 13. PubMed 25882912 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 10, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04179006
Lead sponsor
National Cheng-Kung University Hospital
Collaborators
Grape King Bio Ltd.
Responsible party
Po-See, Chen (Principal Investigator, Professor, Visiting Staff Psychiatrist of Department of Psychiatry, Professor (joint appointment) of Institute of Behavioral Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University Hospital) — Principal investigator
First posted
Nov 26, 2019
Start date
Nov 14, 2019
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2023 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 31, 2023 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 10, 2021

Study contacts

Po-See Chen, Professor
Contact
chenps@mail.ncku.edu.tw
866-6-2353535 ext. 5189
Hui-Hua Chang, Professor
Contact
huihua@mail.ncku.edu.tw
886-6-2353535 ext. 5683

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is status unknown, as verified in Sep 2021. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Start the discussion