N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to slow vision loss in retinitis pigmentosa
NAC Attack AOSLO Reading Center
This trial tests whether the antioxidant N‑acetylcysteine (NAC) can protect cone cells and slow vision loss in people with retinitis pigmentosa.
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-11306999 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial testing daily NAC in people with retinitis pigmentosa. Study sites will give the study medication and track vision over time using standard tests like visual acuity and macular sensitivity, along with high-resolution adaptive optics retinal imaging. A centralized reading center at UCSF will process and grade those images to measure photoreceptor survival. The aim is to compare vision outcomes and retinal health in people taking NAC versus placebo.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa who have measurable central vision and can attend scheduled visits at a participating clinic.
Not a fit: People with very advanced disease and little remaining cone function, or whose vision loss is from causes other than RP, may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, NAC could preserve central vision and slow progression toward blindness for people with retinitis pigmentosa.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies showed benefit of NAC and a single-center human study (FIGHT-RP) reported improved visual acuity and macular sensitivity at higher doses, but broader confirmation is needed in this Phase 3 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.