Improvement of cognitive function in schizophrenia with N-acetylcysteine: A theoretical review

Nutritional Neuroscience
Caitlin O B YollandSusan L Rossell

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric illness associated with positive and negative symptoms as well as significant impairments in cognition. Current antipsychotic medications do not alleviate these cognitive deficits, and more effective therapeutic options are required. Increased oxidative stress and altered antioxidant levels, including glutathione (GSH) have been observed both in individuals with cognitive impairment and in people with schizophrenia. A GSH precursor, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been investigated as a novel treatment for the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, and recent research suggests that NAC may be a promising adjunctive treatment option. However, the current literature lacks integration as to why NAC may effectively improve cognition in schizophrenia. The present theoretical synthesis aimed to address this gap by examining the processes by which NAC may improve cognitive function in schizophrenia. The schizophrenia literature was reviewed in three key domains: cognitive impairment, the relationship between oxidative stress and cognition, and the efficacy of NAC as a novel treatment. This led to a theoretical analysis of the neurobiological processes by which NAC may improve cognit...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 13, 2019·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·Caitlin Ob YollandDan Siskind
Oct 9, 2020·European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry·Aurelia Magdalena PisoschiAndreea Iren Serban
Jan 28, 2021·Antioxidants·Tonali Blanco Blanco AyalaVerónica Pérez de la Pérez de la Cruz
Aug 10, 2020·Neuroscience·T Blanco-AyalaR Schwarcz
Jul 3, 2021·Antioxidants·Micaely Cristina Dos Santos TenórioMarília Oliveira Fonseca Goulart
Jul 6, 2021·Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry·Antonio VentriglioDomenico De Berardis

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