Investigating the effects of N-acetylcysteine on vision loss in retinitis pigmentosa
NAC Attack AOSLO Reading Center
This study is looking at whether a supplement called N-acetylcysteine can help slow down vision loss in people with retinitis pigmentosa by protecting the eye from damage, and it’s open to patients who want to see if this treatment might improve their eyesight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11043444 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a condition that leads to progressive vision loss and blindness due to the degeneration of photoreceptors in the eye. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant therapy, in slowing the progression of RP by reducing oxidative stress that contributes to photoreceptor death. Patients will be enrolled in a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess improvements in visual acuity and macular sensitivity. The findings could enhance our understanding of the mechanisms behind cone degeneration in RP and potentially lead to new treatment options.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa who are experiencing progressive vision loss.
Not a fit: Patients with other forms of vision loss unrelated to retinitis pigmentosa may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new therapeutic approach to slow vision loss in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies, such as the FIGHT-RP trial, have shown promising results with NAC in improving visual function in RP patients, indicating potential for success in this multicenter trial.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duncan, Jacque Lynne — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Duncan, Jacque Lynne
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.