2015-02-03 11:43:32
A study was recently published about N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a redox-active glutathione precursor that decreases inflammatory cytokines, modulates glutamate, promotes neurogenesis, and decreases apoptosis (1). All of these factors are purported to contribute to major depression. In this study, participants were treated with NAC or placebo in addition to treatment as usual for 12 weeks. The results showed that among those with high scores on the depression rating scale, NAC started to show benefit at weeks 6 and on of treatment. NAC was superior to placebo for secondary readouts of function and clinical impression. Remission and response were greater in the NAC group. The NAC group had a greater rate of gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal adverse events. The authors conclude that the study provides only limited support for NAC in the treatment of depression.
References
- Berk M, et al. The efficacy of adjunctive N-acetylcysteine in major depressive disorder: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2014;75(6):628-36.