Journal article
The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine as an adjunctive treatment in bipolar depression: An open label trial
M Berk, O Dean, SM Cotton, CS Gama, F Kapczinski, BS Fernandes, K Kohlmann, S Jeavons, K Hewitt, C Allwang, H Cobb, AI Bush, I Schapkaitz, S Dodd, GS Malhi
Journal of Affective Disorders | Published : 2011
Abstract
Background: Evidence is accumulating to support the presence of redox dysregulation in a number of psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder. This dysregulation may be amenable to therapeutic intervention. Glutathione is the predominant non-enzymatic intracellular free radical scavenger in the brain, and the most generic of all endogenous antioxidants in terms of action. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a glutathione precursor that effectively replenishes brain glutathione. Given the failure of almost all modern trials of antidepressants in bipolar disorder to demonstrate efficacy, and the limited efficacy of mood stabilisers in the depressive phase of the disorder, this is a major unmet ne..
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Awarded by Stanley Medical Research Institute
Funding Acknowledgements
This study received funding from grant 06TGF-996 from the Stanley Medical Research Institute for the expenses of the trial. Heidi Cobb benefited from support from NHMRC Program Grant ID 510135. The funding sources had no role in study design, management, data analysis or manuscript preparation.Berk and Bush are co-inventors on two provisional patents regarding the use of NAC and related compounds for psychiatric indications, which, whilst assigned to the Mental Health Research Institute, could lead to personal remuneration upon a commercialisation event. Bush is a stock shareholder of Eucalyptus Biosciences and Prams Biotechnologies. Berk has served on advisory boards and received funds and/or honoraria from Astra Zeneca, Eli Lilly, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck, Servier, Glaxo Smith Kline, Organon, Novartis, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Sanofi Synthelabo and Solvay. Malhi has served on advisory boards and received funds and/or honoraria from Astra Zeneca. Eli Lilly, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck, Servier, Pfizer, Organon and Wyeth. Dodd has received funds and honoraria from Servier and Eli Lilly All other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.