N-Acetyl Cysteine as a Glutathione Precursor for Schizophrenia—A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

• Published in: Biological psychiatry (1969) Vol. 64; no. 5; pp. 361 - 368
• Main Authors: Berk, Michael, Copolov, David, Dean, Olivia, Lu, Kristy, Jeavons, Sue, Schapkaitz, Ian, Anderson-Hunt, Murray, Judd, Fiona, Katz, Fiona, Katz, Paul, Ording-Jespersen, Sean, Little, John, Conus, Philippe, Cuenod, Michel, Do, Kim Q., Bush, Ashley I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2008
• Subjects: Acetylcysteine - therapeutic use; Adjunct therapy; Adult; Analysis of Variance; clinical trials; Double-Blind Method; Female; Free Radical Scavengers - therapeutic use; glutathione; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Movement Disorders - drug therapy; Movement Disorders - etiology; n-acetyl cysteine; Outcome Assessment, Health Care - methods; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychiatric/Mental Health; schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - complications; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; clinical trials; schizophrenia; n-acetyl cysteine; Adjunct therapy; glutathione

Brain glutathione levels are decreased in schizophrenia, a disorder that often is chronic and refractory to treatment. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) increases brain glutathione in rodents. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of oral NAC (1 g orally twice daily [b.i.d.]) as an...