Effects of Benzoic Acid on Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia and Changes in Glutamate and Glutathione

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17097
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: University of Yamanashi
• Principal Investigator: Iwata Yusuke 山梨大学, 大学院総合研究部, 准教授 (00594772)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 統合失調症 / グルタミン酸 / グルタチオン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study is the first to administer the glutamatergic agent sodium benzoate (a D-amino acid oxidase inhibitor) to treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients and measure the concentrations of glutamate and glutathione in the brain. In the course of this research, the HERMES imaging protocol, which measures GABA and glutathione using MRS, was introduced to Yamanashi University for the first time in Japan. The data quality was without issues, and the study, including cognitive function tests, was conducted smoothly. Moving forward, data analysis will be performed, and the results will be reported.

Free Research Field

統合失調症

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

統合失調症の罹患率は人口の1％である。現在有効な薬物療法は抗精神病薬であるが、約3割の患者は治療に反応しない。統合失調症の病態仮説の一つにグルタミン酸受容体仮説というものがある。グルタミン酸仮説に基づいたグルタミン酸作動薬がこれまでに試されてきたがその作用機序について人体で脳内グルタミン酸を測定した研究はない。本研究によりグルタミン酸作動薬による脳内グルタミン酸の変化とその臨床効果について知見が得られた。