Cited by 81Schizophrenia research and treatmentSulfur Compounds in BiologyNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Glutathione precursor N-acetyl-cysteine modulates EEG synchronization in schizophrenia patients: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

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Carmeli, Cristian, Knyazeva, Maria G., Cuénod, Michel, Do, Kim Q.·2012·PLoS ONE

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Glutathione (GSH) dysregulation at the gene, protein, and functional levels has been observed in schizophrenia patients. Together with disease-like anomalies in GSH deficit experimental models, it suggests that such redox dysregulation can play a critical role in altering neural connectivity and synchronization, and thus possibly causing schizophrenia symptoms. To determine whether increased GSH levels would modulate EEG synchronization, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a glutathione precursor, was administered to patients in a randomized, double-blind, crossover protocol for 60 days, followed by placebo for another 60 days (or vice versa). We analyzed whole-head topography of the multivariate phase synchronization (MPS) for 128-channel resting-state EEGs that were recorded at the onset, at the point of crossover, and at the end of the protocol. In this proof of concept study, the treatment with NAC significantly increased MPS compared to placebo over the left parieto-temporal, the right temporal, and the bilateral prefrontal regions. These changes were robust both at the group and at the individual level. Although MPS increase was observed in the absence of clinical improvement at a group level, it correlated with individual change estimated by Liddle's disorganization scale. Therefore, significant changes in EEG synchronization induced by NAC administration may precede clinically detectable improvement, highlighting its possible utility as a biomarker of treatment efficacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01506765.

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Authors
Carmeli, C., Knyazeva, M. G., Cuénod, M., & Do, K. Q.
Affiliations
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CH)
Venue
PLoS ONE
Published
2012-02-22
Volume
7
Issue
2
Pages
e29341
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1996517171
Cited by
81
References
82
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
FWCI
7.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • SERVAL (Université de Lausanne) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • IRIS (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Sulfur Compounds in Biology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, schizophrenia, EEG synchronization, resting-state EEG, redox dysregulation, treatment biomarkers, neuronal connectivity
MeSH terms
Acetylcysteine, Adult, Double-Blind Method, Electroencephalography, Female, Glutathione, Humans, Male, Oscillometry, Oxidation-Reduction, Placebos, Schizophrenia, Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted, Models, Statistical, Biomarkers, Multivariate Analysis, Free Radical Scavengers, Cross-Over Studies

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