N-acetylcysteine effects on early symptoms of schizophrenia

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on individuals exhibiting clinical high-risk (CHR) symptoms for schizophrenia. It is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 90 CHR patients who will receive either NAC or a placebo daily for 8 weeks. The primary focus is to assess changes in psychosis-like symptoms and neurophysiological markers, specifically the mismatch negativity (MMN) and N400 semantic priming effect, before and after the treatment period. The study aims to provide insights into NAC as a potential preventive treatment for psychosis.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. meeting Criteria of Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (COPS) criteria on the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS)
2. capacity to provide informed consent
3. if female, participant is not of child-bearing potential, defined as females who have undergone a sterilization procedure or have been post-menopausal for at least 1 year prior to screening OR participant is of child-bearing potential and agrees to use a medically approved method of birth control for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. meeting criteria for any other DSM-5 diagnosis at the time of the study (except -personality disorder, nicotine use disorder, or other substance use disorder in full remission)
2. concomitant or past neurological condition
3. visual impairment which is not corrected to normal by prescription glasses history of reading disability
4. past antipsychotic treatment at a therapeutic dose
5. current treatment with a psychotropic medication except antidepressants on which the participants has been on a stable dose for at least 30 days.
6. pregnancy (as identified on self-report and/or rapid urine pregnancy test) or intent to become pregnant according to self-report
7. breastfeeding or plan to do so
8. history of kidney stones
9. current treatment with an antibiotic
10. current treatment with nitroglycerin
11. allergy to any ingredients in either the investigational product or placebo product

Where it's running

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
  Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Michael Kiang, MD, PhD — Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
• Study coordinator: Michael Kiang, MD, PhD
• Email: michael.kiang@camh.ca
• Phone: 416-535-8501

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Analyzing speech to predict psychosis in at-risk patients

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.