Actively Recruiting
Effects of NAC on Symptoms of CHR Patients
Led by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Updated on 2026-03-27
90
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
206 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Schizophrenia is a chronic debilitating psychotic disorder. Identifying persons with "clinical high-risk" (CHR) symptoms, which are like those of schizophrenia but less severe, and providing psychiatric care to these individuals has been shown to help prevent psychosis. Current medications used for CHR symptoms, however, are associated with substantial side effect burden. Therefore, practice guidelines do not recommend current medications as routine treatment for the CHR state, and there is a need to identify new treatments for this condition. Research suggests that abnormal brain oxidative stress may contribute to schizophrenia, offering a potential novel treatment target in the CHR state. Oxidative stress is an excess of free radicals, which are generated from normal metabolism and environmental exposures, and can damage cells. Antioxidants in the body normally neutralize free radicals. Antioxidant deficiency could result in excess oxidative stress that damages brain cells, leading to schizophrenia. Recent studies suggest that N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor of the most abundant brain antioxidant, glutathione, may be a safe, well-tolerated treatment for schizophrenia. In light of this, NAC may also reduce symptoms and brain abnormalities in CHR patients.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Effects of NAC on Symptoms of CHR Patients
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Meeting Criteria of Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (COPS) on the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS)
- Capacity to provide informed consent
- If female, either not of child-bearing potential (sterilized or post-menopausal for at least 1 year) or agrees to use medically approved birth control during the study
You will not qualify if you...
- Having any other DSM-5 diagnosis at the time of the study except personality disorder, nicotine use disorder, or fully remitted substance use disorder
- Current or past neurological conditions
- Visual impairment not corrected by glasses or history of reading disability
- Previous antipsychotic treatment at therapeutic dose
- Current treatment with psychotropic medications except stable-dose antidepressants for at least 30 days
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or intent to become pregnant
- History of kidney stones
- Current treatment with antibiotics or nitroglycerin
- Allergy to any ingredients in the study or placebo products
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 1R8
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Michael Kiang, MD, PhD
CONTACT
J
Jenny Lepock, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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