title: A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence.
abstract: Methamphetamine dependence is a growing problem in Australia and globally. Currently, there are no approved pharmacotherapy options for the management of methamphetamine dependence. N-acetylcysteine is one potential pharmacotherapy option. It has received growing attention as a therapy for managing addictions because of its capacity to restore homeostasis to brain glutamate systems disrupted in addiction and thereby reduce craving and the risk of relapse. N-acetylcysteine also has antioxidant properties that protect against methamphetamine-induced toxicity and it may therefore assist in the management of the neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive effects of methamphetamine. This commentary overviews the actions of N-acetylcysteine and evidence for its efficacy in treating addiction with a particular focus on its potential utility for methamphetamine dependence. We conclude that the preliminary evidence indicates a need for full-scale trials to definitively establish whether N-acetylcysteine has a therapeutic benefit and the nature of this benefit, for managing methamphetamine dependence. [McKetin R, Dean O, Baker A. L, Carter G, Turner A, Kelly P. J, Berk M. A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:153-159].
authors.affiliation: National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McKetin
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia.|Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.|Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Olivia M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia.|Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.|Priority Research Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Alyna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia.|Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.|Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berk
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001315:Australia; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D008694:Methamphetamine; D000111:Acetylcysteine
keywords: N-acetylcysteine; drug therapy; methamphetamine; pharmacotherapy; treatment