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Posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2011, at 21:35:24
Seems NAC effective or seems to be for bipolar depression also maybe autism. Phillipa
9th International Conference on Bipolar Disorder (ICBD)
This coverage is not sanctioned by, nor a part of, the International Society for Bipolar Disorders.
From Medscape Medical News > Psychiatry
Adjunctive N-Acetyl Cysteine Effective for Bipolar Depression
Deborah BrauserAuthors and Disclosures
June 10, 2011 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Adjunctive N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) may be efficacious in treating the depressive phase of bipolar disorder, new research suggests.
In an open-label study from Australian researchers presented here at the Ninth International Conference on Bipolar Disorder (ICBD), patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and given 2000 mg of NAC in addition to their "treatment as usual" showed significantly lower symptom severity scores and increased functioning and quality-of-life scores.
"One of the biggest things I like is not only does [NAC] work symptomatically but it works functionally, which is just really helpful," lead author Olivia Dean, PhD, from the Mental Health Research Institute and Deakin University School of Medicine in Victoria, Australia, told Medscape Medical News.
Dr. Olivia DeanThe investigators note that "this study encompasses a completely novel approach to the treatment of bipolar depression, focusing on established biomarkers to define novel therapeutic targets."
"Given that it has a mild side effect profile and there are such limited treatments for bipolar depression, I think it's really worth including this [agent], especially because it's on top of usual treatment. There's no reason to stop anything just add this on," said Dr. Dean.
This study has recently been accepted by the Journal of Affective Disorders, with plans to publish soon.
Significant Benefits
According to the study, recent research has found that oxidative stress and inflammation play a role in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder.
"NAC is a cysteine analogue shown to effectively raise plasma levels of the primary antioxidant, glutathione. NAC also modulates cytokines, glutamates neurotransmission, and enhances neurogenesis," write the investigators.
In this study, 149 patients (67.8% female; mean age at baseline, 45.8 years) with bipolar disorder I, II, or not otherwise specified (mean age at diagnosis, 35.9 years) were given 2000 mg of NAC a day, along with their usual treatment, for 8 weeks.
At baseline, all participants were currently in the depressive phase of the disorder, as shown by a Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score of 12 or greater.
The primary outcome measure was change in the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS). Secondary measurements included the MADRS, Clinical Global Impressions (CGI), the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale, Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment (SOFA) scale, the Streamlined Longitudinal Interview Clinical Evaluation from the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (SLICE/LIFE), the Range of Impaired Functioning Tool (LIFE/RIFT), the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS).
Results showed that significant differences (P < .001) were found between baseline and week 8 for all study measures. Minimal side effects occurred.
"Anecdotally, patients reported that their side effects eased when they drank Diet Coke or orange juice. But there's no science to back that up," laughed Dr. Dean.
Research Continuing
"This study is terribly exciting," Kenneth Jobson, MD, in private practice in Knoxville, Tennessee, and on the clinical faculty at the University of Tennessee, told Medscape Medical News.
"[NAC] is actually used by patients a lot. We don't have a whole lot of data on it but in my clinical experience, there are some people who have responded. And I'm pleased that people in this study did too," said Dr. Jobson, who was not involved in the research.
Dr. Dean reported that after this open-label phase, all participants participated in a 6-month randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Those results will be released soon.
The investigative team is also further investigating markers of inflammation, oxidative biology, and neurogenesis to further understand the effects of NAC.
In addition, they're conducting a new study looking at NAC treatment in children with recently diagnosed autism.
"Autism has been reported to have similar changes in oxidative factors that a lot of psychiatric conditions do. So we're basically following the oxidative pathway to autism," concluded Dr. Dean.
The study was funded by the Stanley Medical Research Institute. The study authors and Dr. Jobson have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Ninth International Conference on Bipolar Disorder (ICBD): Poster P35. Presented June 9, 2011.
Posted by SLS on June 11, 2011, at 5:29:43
In reply to NAC effective for Bipolar Depression, posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2011, at 21:35:24
It is important to note that it can take as long as six months for NAC to yield results.
This makes some sense as mitochondrial turnover is slow in general and slower in some age-related illnesses. It can take a long time for the damaged mitochondria to be replaced by new, healthy ones. Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to contribute to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Stress in general can place oxidative stress on mitochondria, so depression and anxiety might represent other conditions for which NAC may help, even though there is no evidence to date indicating this.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19664343"Chang Gung Med J. 2009 Jul-Aug;32(4):370-9.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and psychiatric disorders.
Jou SH, Chiu NY, Liu CS.
SourceDepartment of Psychiatry, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
AbstractMitochondria are intracellular organelles crucial in the production of cellular energy. Mitochondrial diseases may result from malfunctions in this biochemical cascade. Several investigators have proposed that mitochondrial dysfunction is related to the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SZ). The authors reviewed recent study findings and tried to delineate the current understanding of the correlation between mitochondrial dysfunction and psychiatric disorders. A growing body of evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction is important in patients with psychiatric disorders. The evidence include impaired energy metabolism in the brain detected using results of magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron microscopy, co-morbidity with mitochondrial diseases, the effects of psychotropics on mitochondria, increased mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion in the brain, and association with mtDNA mutations/polymorphisms or nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes. It is possible that the new information will lead to a focus on psychiatric disorder as a metabolic disease. Treatment with psychotropics might ultimately enhance energy metabolism and reduce the damage of oxidative stress. The next step in the study of mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with psychiatric disorders should be clarification of how mitochondrial dysfunction, a nonspecific risk factor, causes specific symptoms. Further study of mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with psychiatric disorder is expected to be useful for the development of cellular disease markers and new psychotropics.
PMID:
19664343
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]"
- Scott
Posted by BrainDamage on June 11, 2011, at 6:53:50
In reply to NAC effective for Bipolar Depression, posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2011, at 21:35:24
A lot of people don't seem to get on with It........
I really like it, makes me feel "clean", calm & energized
I don't have bipolar though..........
Posted by Christ_empowered on June 11, 2011, at 7:21:47
In reply to NAC effective for Bipolar Depression, posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2011, at 21:35:24
I think its good that they're doing these studies. NAC has been somewhat helpful to me, although it sometimes makes me a bit nauseous (nothing like Depakote-induced nausea, though).
Posted by desolationrower on June 11, 2011, at 14:09:25
In reply to Re: NAC effective for Bipolar Depression, posted by SLS on June 11, 2011, at 5:29:43
good to see more evidence for this.
I sort of lean toward the glutamate side of things. But, i personally felt no effect from NAC (though i keep it around, to take if i am going to be drinking)
I would guess my mitochondria are in good shape, because of various things i do (exercise, diet, supplements). So if it works by improving their function, that might explain why i don't find it helpful.
-d/r
Posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2011, at 19:44:57
In reply to Re: NAC effective for Bipolar Depression » SLS, posted by desolationrower on June 11, 2011, at 14:09:25
I had to listen to a CD for pdoc on cerfelimonac sp? And it combines Folate, B12, Nac and it is inaccurate with serruous testing but accurate in cerebral spinal fluid. Good to help Alzheimers or prevent further mental deterioration if memory a problem. There is a website on it also. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2011, at 19:49:00
In reply to Re: NAC effective for Bipolar Depression, posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2011, at 19:44:57
A video haven't watched. Phillipa
http://www.cerefolinnac.com/resources/homocystiene-and-alzheimers-symptoms
Posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2011, at 19:54:01
In reply to Re: NAC effective for Bipolar Depression, posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2011, at 19:49:00
Scott please watch this video I am banking that this will help you. Bear with the beginning of this video as rather boring and seems not related but as goes on it makes sense. I especially thought of you will brain healing. Phillipa
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