Bipolar Disorder Therapy Research News

N-Acetyl Cysteine, a common nutritional supplement, was used successfully to treat depressive symptoms among bipolar patients as reported in the June, 2008 issue of Biological Psychiatry.

It is well known that depression is a significant problem in the treatment of bipolar disorder and that it is often very difficult to treat despite a range of available drug options. The authors of the study hypothesized that N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) would be effective because it corrects glutathione depletion common to the disorder.

A randomized, double blind, multi-center, placebo controlled research design was employed across 75 bipolar patients, with the treatment group receiving NAC (1 gram twice a day) over a 24 week period, adjunctive to usual medications. Compared with placebo, the NAC group showed significant improvement in mood, depressive symptoms, general functioning, social functioning, and occupational functioning.

There were no significant side effects associated with NAC. For additional information on bipolar disorder therapy, please visit our website.