Across 3 studies, 1 reported a beneficial moderate-sized effect of L-carnosine on reducing depression symptoms, while 2 studies found neutral effects. The single beneficial study involved patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) using 400 mg twice daily for 6 weeks. Effects were predominantly neutral, and the median study duration was 49 days, but the evidence base is too small to draw firm conclusions about typical dose ranges or populations.
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Many of the included studies did not reach statistical significance — effect may be smaller than the predominant direction suggests.
There was no significant difference between the two groups in baseline parameters and frequency of side effects.
from: L-Carnosine combination therapy for major depressive disorder: A randomized, double-blind,Frequency of other side effects was not significantly different between the two groups.
from: L-carnosine as an add-on to risperidone for treatment of negative symptoms in patients witBoth groups demonstrated a constant ESRS score during the trial course.
from: L-carnosine as an add-on to risperidone for treatment of negative symptoms in patients witMost of the studies did not show significant effects in a wide range of mood and depression outcome measures
General linear model repeated measure showed significant difference for time × treatment on HAM-D score [F = 3.17, df = 2.39, p-value = 0.03]. Significantly greater improvement was detected in HAM-D score of the L-Carnosine group compared with the placebo group from baseline to weeks 2, 4 and 6 [Ps = 0.013, 0.028 and 0.023; respectively].
HDRS scores and its changes did not differ between the two groups.