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Cited by 96Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum DisordersAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

N-Acetyl Cysteine in the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review

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Oliver, Georgina, Dean, Olivia, Camfield, David, Blair-West, Scott, Ng, Chee, Berk, Michael, Sarris, Jerome·2015·Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
DOI 10.9758/cpn.2015.13.1.12PMC PMC4423164
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Obsessive compulsive and related disorders are a collection of debilitating psychiatric disorders in which the role of glutamate dysfunction in the underpinning neurobiology is becoming well established. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a glutamate modulator with promising therapeutic effect. This paper presents a systematic review of clinical trials and case reports exploring the use of NAC for these disorders. A further objective was to detail the methodology of current clinical trials being conducted in the area. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library Database were searched for human clinical trials or case reports investigating NAC in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or obsessive compulsive related disorders. Researchers with known involvement in NAC studies were contacted for any unpublished data. RESULTS: Four clinical trials and five case reports/series were identified. Study durations were commonly 12-weeks, using 2,400-3,000 mg/day of NAC. Overall, NAC demonstrates activity in reducing the severity of symptoms, with a good tolerability profile and minimal adverse effects. Currently there are three ongoing randomized controlled trials using NAC for OCD (two adults and one pediatric), and one for excoriation. CONCLUSIONS: Encouraging results have been demonstrated from the few pilot studies that have been conducted. These results are detailed, in addition to a discussion of future potential research.

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Sorted by citations

Authors
Oliver, G., Dean, O., Camfield, D., Blair-West, S., Ng, C., Berk, M., & Sarris, J.
Affiliations
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • Deakin University (AU)
  • University of Wollongong (AU)
  • Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Corresponding author
Oliver, Georgina
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
Publisher
Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Published
2015-04-30
Volume
13
Issue
1
Pages
12-24
ISSN
  • 1738-1088 (ISSN-L)
  • 2093-4327
DOI
10.9758/cpn.2015.13.1.12
PMC
PMC4423164
OpenAlex
W1992261726
Cited by
96
References
16
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2
FWCI
1.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
  • Deakin Research Online (Deakin University) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
  • Swinburne figshare (Swinburne University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
N-acetylcysteine, obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, glutamate dysfunction, glutamate modulators, excoriation disorder, symptom severity reduction, tolerability, adverse effects, pediatric OCD

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