Back to Search
Start Over
N-acetylcysteine for depression and glutamate changes in the left prefrontal cortex in adolescents and young adults at risk for bipolar disorder: A pilot study.
- Source :
-
Early intervention in psychiatry [Early Interv Psychiatry] 2022 Feb; Vol. 16 (2), pp. 195-199. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Apr 01. - Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Aims: To investigate the mechanism of action of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in depressive symptoms in young individuals at familial risk for bipolar disorder.<br />Methods: We conducted an 8-week open label clinical trial of NAC 2400 mg/days in 15-24 years old depressed offspring of a bipolar I disorder parent, with baseline and endpoint proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy acquired within the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC).<br />Results: Nine participants were enrolled and finished the study. NAC significantly improved depressive and anxiety symptom scores, and clinical global impression (all p < .001). There was a non-significant reduction in glutamate levels in the left VLPFC. Reduction in depressive symptom scores was positively associated with reduction in glutamate levels in the left VLPFC (p = .007).<br />Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that NAC might be efficacious for depressive symptoms in at-risk youth, and that its mechanism of action involves the modulation of glutamate in the left VLPFC.<br /> (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1751-7893
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Early intervention in psychiatry
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33797205
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.13149