Effect of N-acetylcysteine on neural alcohol cue reactivity and craving in adolescents who drink heavily: A preliminary randomized clinical trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alcohol craving is related to problematic alcohol use; therefore, pharmacotherapies that modulate alcohol craving are of interest. N-acetylcysteine, an over-the-counter antioxidant, is a candidate pharmacotherapy for adolescent alcohol use with the potential to impact craving. Cue-reactivity paradigms using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can identify neural regions implicated in craving and serve as a screening tool for novel pharmacotherapy options.

Methods

This preliminary study examined the effect of N-acetylcysteine on neural reactivity to alcohol cues and subjective craving among 31 non-treatment-seeking adolescents (17.6-19.9 years old, 55% female) who use alcohol heavily. In a randomized cross-over design, participants completed three fMRI ses

SUBMITTER: Green R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11576246 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature