N-acetylcysteine to rebalance brain chemistry and reduce heavy drinking in bipolar disorder with alcohol use
Official title: N-acetylcysteine for restoring glutamate/glutathione homeostasis and reducing heavy drinking in co-occurring bipolar and alcohol use disorders
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11430386 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests a safe medication, N-acetylcysteine, to help people with bipolar disorder who drink heavily by stabilizing brain chemistry and reducing drinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $674,482 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA033435-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11430386 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder and a co-occurring alcohol use disorder who are seeking adjunctive treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without BD or with alcohol use disorders not meeting trial criteria, or those intolerant to NAC, may not benefit.
What this research studies
People with bipolar disorder often struggle with alcohol use, which can worsen mood symptoms and overall outcomes. The study builds on prior work showing that N-acetylcysteine can help restore glutamate and glutathione balance in the brain and may lessen drinking and mood disturbance. Researchers will enroll participants with BD and co-occurring AUD to receive NAC versus placebo in a randomized design, using brain imaging and clinical assessments to track changes. If NAC helps, it could become an adjunctive therapy to improve mood stability and reduce alcohol use for this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, NAC could offer a safe add-on treatment to reduce heavy drinking and improve mood-related outcomes in people with BD and AUD.
How similar studies have gone: Prior trials suggest NAC is safe and can influence brain chemistry and some symptoms in BD or AUD, with mixed clinical results but a rationale for further study.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prisciandaro, James Joseph — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Prisciandaro, James Joseph
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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.