Is cocaine desire reduced by N-acetylcysteine?
OBJECTIVE
Animal models suggest that N-acetylcysteine inhibits cocaine-seeking. The present pilot study evaluated whether N-acetylcysteine would suppress reactivity to cocaine-related cues in cocaine-dependent humans.


METHODS
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 15 participants received N-acetylcysteine or placebo during a 3-day hospitalization. Participants were crossed over to receive the opposite condition on a second, identical 3-day stay occurring 4 days later. During each hospital stay, participants completed a cue-reactivity procedure that involved collecting psychophysical and subjective data in response to slides depicting cocaine and cocaine use.


RESULTS
While taking N-acetylcysteine, participants reported less desire to use and less interest in response to cocaine slides and watched cocaine slides for less time.


CONCLUSIONS
The inhibition of cocaine cue reactivity is consistent with existing preclinical data and supports the use of N-acetylcysteine as a treatment for cocaine dependence.
LaRowe
Steven D
SD
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Myrick
Hugh
H
Hedden
Sarra
S
Mardikian
Pascale
P
Saladin
Michael
M
McRae
Aimee
A
Brady
Kathleen
K
Kalivas
Peter W
PW
Malcolm
Robert
R
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003463:Cues; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D014796:Visual Perception
D010919:Placebos; D000111:Acetylcysteine