N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) in Early Phase Schizophrenia Spectrum Psychosis

Summary

The investigators seek to examine the effect of add-on N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) in the early phase of schizophrenia spectrum illness in collaboration with researchers Kim Do, PhD, and Philippe Conus, MD in Switzerland. Modifications of brain structure are thought to occur during the pre-illness phase and around the transition to psychosis. Therefore, studying new treatments that could target changes occurring during this period is of critical importance. Aims: Does add-on NAC treatment in early psychosis influence: * positive and negative symptoms * extrapyramidal side-effects of other medication * plasma concentration of glutathione * Mismatch Negativity, a physiological marker

Timeline

Start

2011-05

Primary completion

2014-08

Completion

2014-08

Publications

• Background Do KQ, Conus P, Cuenod M. Redox dysregulation and oxidative stress in schizophrenia: nutrigenetics as a challenge in psychiatric disease prevention. World Rev Nutr Diet. 2010;101:131-153. doi: 10.1159/000314518. Epub 2010 Apr 30. No abstract available.

Drugs

Indications