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Effect of single dose N-acetylcysteine administration on resting state functional connectivity in schizophrenia.pdf (1.97 MB)

Effect of single dose N-acetylcysteine administration on resting state functional connectivity in schizophrenia

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 04:58 authored by Grant McQueen, Aderlee Lay, John Lally, Anthony S Gabay, Tracy Collier, David J Lythgoe, Gareth J Barker, James StoneJames Stone, Philip McGuire, James H MacCabe, Alice Egerton
Rationale There is interest in employing N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the treatment of schizophrenia, but investigations of the functional signatures of its pharmacological action are scarce. Objectives The aim of this study was to identify the changes in resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) that occur following administration of a single dose of NAC in patients with schizophrenia. A secondary aim was to examine whether differences in rs-FC between conditions were mediated by glutamate metabolites in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Methods In a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, 20 patients with schizophrenia had two MRI scans administered 7 days apart, following oral administration of either 2400 mg NAC or placebo. Resting state functional fMRI (rsfMRI) assessed the effect of NAC on rs-FC within the default mode network (DMN) and the salience network (SN). Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure Glx/Cr (glutamate plus glutamine, in ratio to creatine) levels in the ACC during the same scanning sessions. Results Compared to the placebo condition, the NAC condition was associated with reduced within the DMN and SN, specifically between the medial pre-frontal cortex to mid frontal gyrus, and ACC to frontal pole (all p < 0.04). There were no significant correlations between ACC Glx/Cr and rs-FC in either condition (p > 0.6). Conclusions These findings provide preliminary evidence that NAC can reduce medial frontal rs-FC in schizophrenia. Future studies assessing the effects of NAC on rs-FC in early psychosis and on repeated administration in relation to efficacy would be of interest.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Psychopharmacology

ISSN

0033-3158

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Volume

237

Page range

443-451

Event location

Germany

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Neuroscience Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2022-10-03

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-10-03

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2022-09-30