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Published on: September 20, 2018
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Clinical Manifestations
Alan Jing Chiuan Peng1,2, Yejin Kang1,2, Damien Gallagher1,3
1University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|December 24, 2025
Summary
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may effectively treat apathy and emotional dysregulation in individuals with vascular mild cognitive impairment (vMCI). This antioxidant shows promise in reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms and the risk of dementia progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) like apathy are common in vascular mild cognitive impairment (vMCI) and increase dementia risk.
- Oxidative stress and vascular factors are implicated in neurodegeneration and NPS in vMCI.
- Previous findings linked oxidative stress biomarkers to apathy in vMCI, suggesting antioxidant potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a treatment for NPS in individuals with vMCI.
- To assess NAC's impact on apathy and emotional dysregulation (ED) in the context of vMCI.
- To explore NAC's potential role in mitigating dementia risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of a double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving exercising older adults with vMCI.
- Participants received either 2400mg of NAC or placebo for 24 weeks.
- Neuropsychiatric assessments using the Mild Behavioural Impairment Checklist (MBI-C) were conducted at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks.
Main Results:
- Significant treatment effects favoring NAC were observed for apathy and emotional dysregulation (ED) at week 12.
- Apathy scores decreased more in the NAC group (mean change: -1.56) compared to placebo (mean change: -0.296).
- ED scores also showed greater reduction in the NAC group (mean change: -2.04) versus placebo (mean change: -0.481).
Conclusions:
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) demonstrates potential as a treatment for apathy and emotional dysregulation in individuals with vMCI.
- NAC may help reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms in vMCI patients, potentially lowering the burden of dementia.
- Further research into NAC's role in managing cognitive decline and associated symptoms is warranted.
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