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Published on: February 18, 2016
N-acetylcysteine prevents increased amphetamine sensitivity in social isolation-reared mice
Ana P Herrmann1, Radharani Benvenutti2, Luísa K Pilz1
1Laboratório de Etnofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul., Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050-170 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul., Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Abstract:
Treating individuals at risk to develop schizophrenia may be strategic to delay or prevent transition to psychosis. We verified the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia. C57 mice were reared in isolation or social groups and treated with NAC from postnatal day 42-70; the locomotor response to amphetamine was assessed at postnatal day 81. NAC treatment in isolated mice prevented the hypersensitivity to amphetamine, suggesting neuroprotection relevant to striatal dopamine. Considering its safety and tolerability profile, complementary studies are warranted to further evaluate the usefulness of NAC to prevent conversion to schizophrenia in at-risk individuals.
