title: Is cocaine desire reduced by N-acetylcysteine?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: LaRowe
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Myrick
authors.forename: Sarra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hedden
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mardikian
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saladin
authors.forename: Aimee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McRae
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Kalivas
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malcolm
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D000111:Acetylcysteine