Many mental disorders are associated with dysregulation of the neurotransmitters glutamate and/or dopamine, as well as increased levels of oxidative stress in the brain.[1] Aside from its antioxidant effects, research shows that NAC crosses the blood-brain barrier and can directly alter glutamate neurotransmission, with an indirect effect on dopamine as well,[2] making it a potentially helpful supplement for a variety of conditions.
When used in addition to standard care, NAC has shown small benefits for the management of schizophrenia,[3][4][5] depression symptoms (including bipolar depression),[6][7] autism spectrum disorder (specifically hyperactivity and irritability),[8] and substance use disorder.[9]
References
- ^Ganesh Raghu, Michael Berk, Peter A Campochiaro, Hartmut Jaeschke, Giancarlo Marenzi, Luca Richeldi, Fu-Qiang Wen, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Peter M A CalverleyThe Multifaceted Therapeutic Role of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in Disorders Characterized by Oxidative StressCurr Neuropharmacol.(2021)
- ^Smaga I, Frankowska M, Filip MN-acetylcysteine as a new prominent approach for treating psychiatric disorders.Br J Pharmacol.(2021-Jul)
- ^Xu X, Shao G, Zhang X, Hu Y, Huang J, Su Y, Zhang M, Cai Y, Zhou HThe efficacy of nutritional supplements for the adjunctive treatment of schizophrenia in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.Psychiatry Res.(2022-May)
- ^Kishi T, Sakuma K, Hatano M, Iwata NN-acetylcysteine for schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychiatry Clin Neurosci.(2023-Feb)
- ^Yolland CO, Hanratty D, Neill E, Rossell SL, Berk M, Dean OM, Castle DJ, Tan EJ, Phillipou A, Harris AW, Barreiros AR, Hansen A, Siskind DMeta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with -acetylcysteine in the treatment of schizophrenia.Aust N Z J Psychiatry.(2020-May)
- ^Nery FG, Li W, DelBello MP, Welge JAN-acetylcysteine as an adjunctive treatment for bipolar depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Bipolar Disord.(2021-11)
- ^Fernandes BS, Dean OM, Dodd S, Malhi GS, Berk MN-Acetylcysteine in depressive symptoms and functionality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Psychiatry.(2016-Apr)
- ^Lee TM, Lee KM, Lee CY, Lee HC, Tam KW, Loh EWEffectiveness of -acetylcysteine in autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Aust N Z J Psychiatry.(2021-Feb)
- ^Duailibi MS, Cordeiro Q, Brietzke E, Ribeiro M, LaRowe S, Berk M, Trevizol APN-acetylcysteine in the treatment of craving in substance use disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Addict.(2017-Oct)