Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preventing or treating depression in a subject in need thereof, including administering to the subject an effective amount of benzoic acid, or a salt or derivative thereof. Also provided is a composition for use in preventing or treating depression in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preventing or treating anti-NMDAR encephalitis in a subject in need thereof, including administering to the subject an effective amount of benzoic acid or a salt and derivative thereof.

Abstract: A method for preventing or treating an autism spectrum disorder in a subject in need thereof may include administering to the subject a composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of a benzoic acid salt and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient thereof. The benzoic acid salt may be administered to the subject in an amount ranging from 100 mg/day to 2000 mg/day.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preventing or treating depression in a subject in need thereof, including administering to the subject an effective amount of benzoic acid or a salt and derivative thereof. Also provided is a composition for use in preventing or treating depression in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A method for preventing or treating an autism spectrum disorder in a subject in need thereof may include administering to the subject a composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of a benzoic acid salt and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient thereof. The benzoic acid salt may be administered to the subject in an amount ranging from 100 mg/day to 2000 mg/day.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) includes: obtaining a blood sample from a human subject suspected of having AD; determining a G72 protein level in the blood sample; determining an SLC7A11 mRNA expression level in the blood sample; comparing the G72 protein level with a first predetermined standard; comparing the SLC7A11 mRNA expression level with a second predetermined standard; and diagnosing the human subject with AD when the G72 protein level is higher than the first predetermined standard and the SLC7A11 mRNA expression level is higher than the second predetermined standard. An effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition may be administered to the diagnosed human subject for treating AD.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) includes: obtaining a blood sample from a human subject suspected of having AD; determining a G72 protein level in the blood sample; determining an SLC7A11 mRNA expression level in the blood sample; comparing the G72 protein level with a first predetermined standard; comparing the SLC7A11 mRNA expression level with a second predetermined standard; and diagnosing the human subject with AD when the G72 protein level is higher than the first predetermined standard and the SLC7A11 mRNA expression level is higher than the second predetermined standard. An effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition may be administered to the diagnosed human subject for treating AD.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject afflicted with dementia is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising an effective amount of a benzoic acid, a salt, an ester, or a derivative thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or vehicle, wherein the subject is not administered any other neuropharmaceutical.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject afflicted with dementia is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising an effective amount of a benzoic acid, a salt, an ester, or a derivative thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or vehicle, wherein the subject is not administered any other neuropharmaceutical.

Abstract: Provided is a method for diagnosis of schizophrenia, which comprises: detecting G72 gene product in a body fluid sample from a subject by an assay to determine G72 expression level; comparing said G72 expression level to a baseline G72 expression; and relating the G72 expression level to the patient's risk of schizophrenia by assigning an increased risk of schizophrenia when said G72 expression level is greater than said baseline G72 expression. Through detecting G72 expression level in a peripheral sample, the method can be simply performed by an in vitro assay and accurately predict or diagnose a subject with schizophrenia.

Abstract: Provided is a method for diagnosis of schizophrenia, which comprises: detecting G72 gene product in a body fluid sample from a subject by an assay to determine G72 expression level; comparing said G72 expression level to a baseline G72 expression; and relating the G72 expression level to the patient's risk of schizophrenia by assigning an increased risk of schizophrenia when said G72 expression level is greater than said baseline G72 expression. Through detecting G72 expression level in a peripheral sample, the method can be simply performed by an in vitro assay and accurately predict or diagnose a subject with schizophrenia.

Abstract: Provided is a method for diagnosis of schizophrenia, which comprises: detecting G72 gene product in a body fluid sample from a subject by an assay to determine G72 expression level; comparing said G72 expression level to a baseline G72 expression; and relating the G72 expression level to the patient's risk of schizophrenia by assigning an increased risk of schizophrenia when said G72 expression level is greater than said baseline G72 expression. Through detecting G72 expression level in a peripheral sample, the method can be simply performed by an in vitro assay and accurately predict or diagnose a subject with schizophrenia.