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Winterlind EL, Malone SG, Setzer MR, Murphy MA, Saunders D, Gray JC. N-acetylcysteine as a treatment for substance use cravings: A meta-analysis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.13.24306839. [PMID: 38798604 PMCID: PMC11118593 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.24306839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may serve as a novel pharmacotherapy for substance use and substance craving in individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs), possibly through its potential to regulate glutamate. Though prior meta-analyses generally support NAC's efficacy in reducing symptoms of craving, individual trials have found mixed results. The aims of the this updated meta-analysis were to (1) examine the efficacy of NAC in treating symptoms of craving in individuals with a SUD and (2) explore subgroup differences, risk of bias, and publication bias across trials. Database searches of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were conducted to identify relevant randomized control trials (RCTs). The meta-analysis consisted of 9 trials which analyzed data from a total of 623 participants. The most targeted substance in the clinical trials was alcohol (3/9; 33.3%), followed by tobacco (2/9; 22.2%) and multiple substances (2/9; 22.2%). Meta-analysis, subgroup analyses, and leave-one-out analyses were conducted to examine treatment effect on craving symptoms and adverse events (AEs). Risk of bias assessments, Egger's tests, and funnel plot tests were conducted to examine risk of bias and publication bias. NAC did not significantly outperform placebo in reducing symptoms of craving in the meta-analysis (SMD = 0.189, 95% CI = -0.015 - 0.393). Heterogeneity was very high in the meta-analysis (99.26%), indicating that findings may have been influenced by clinical or methodological differences in the study protocols. Additionally, results indicate that there may be publication bias present. There were no between-group differences in risk of AEs. Overall, our findings are contrary to those of prior meta-analyses, suggesting limited impact of NAC on substance craving. However, the high heterogeneity and presence of publication bias identified warrants cautious interpretation of the meta-analytic outcomes.
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O'Neill J, Diaz MP, Alger JR, Pochon JB, Ghahremani D, Dean AC, Tyndale RF, Petersen N, Marohnic S, Karaiskaki A, London ED. Smoking, tobacco dependence, and neurometabolites in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4756-4765. [PMID: 37749232 PMCID: PMC10914613 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02247-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking has a major impact on global health and morbidity, and positron emission tomographic research has provided evidence for reduced inflammation in the human brain associated with cigarette smoking. Given the consequences of inflammatory dysfunction for health, the question of whether cigarette smoking affects neuroinflammation warrants further investigation. The goal of this project therefore was to validate and extend evidence of hypoinflammation related to smoking, and to examine the potential contribution of inflammation to clinical features of smoking. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we measured levels of neurometabolites that are putative neuroinflammatory markers. N-acetyl compounds (N-acetylaspartate + N-acetylaspartylglutamate), glutamate, creatine, choline-compounds (phosphocholine + glycerophosphocholine), and myo-inositol, have all been linked to neuroinflammation, but they have not been examined as such with respect to smoking. We tested whether people who smoke cigarettes have brain levels of these metabolites consistent with decreased neuroinflammation, and whether clinical features of smoking are associated with levels of these metabolites. The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex was chosen as the region-of-interest because of previous evidence linking it to smoking and related states. Fifty-four adults who smoked daily maintained overnight smoking abstinence before testing and were compared with 37 nonsmoking participants. Among the smoking participants, we tested for associations of metabolite levels with tobacco dependence, smoking history, craving, and withdrawal. Levels of N-acetyl compounds and glutamate were higher, whereas levels of creatine and choline compounds were lower in the smoking group as compared with the nonsmoking group. In the smoking group, glutamate and creatine levels correlated negatively with tobacco dependence, and creatine correlated negatively with lifetime smoking, but none of the metabolite levels correlated with craving or withdrawal. The findings indicate a link between smoking and a hypoinflammatory state in the brain, specifically in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. Smoking may thereby increase vulnerability to infection and brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph O'Neill
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Maylen Perez Diaz
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and the Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Biogen, Inc., Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jeffry R Alger
- Department of Neurology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Baptiste Pochon
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and the Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dara Ghahremani
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and the Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrew C Dean
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and the Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachel F Tyndale
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole Petersen
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and the Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shane Marohnic
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and the Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrea Karaiskaki
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and the Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Edythe D London
- Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and the Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Herbst ED, Pennington DL, Borsari B, Manuel J, Yalch M, Alcid E, Martinez Rivas M, Delacruz J, Rossi N, Garcia B, Wong N, Batki SL. N-acetylcysteine for smoking cessation among dual users of tobacco and cannabis: Protocol and rationale for a randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2023; 131:107250. [PMID: 37271412 PMCID: PMC10847050 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tobacco and cannabis co-use is a growing public health problem. The synergistic effects of cannabis and nicotine on neurobiological systems that mediate reward and shared environmental cues reinforcing use may make tobacco smoking cessation more difficult. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an FDA-approved medication and over-the-counter supplement, has shown promise in animal studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in reducing tobacco and cannabis craving and use. NAC's potential efficacy in treating addiction may be attributable to its central nervous system effects in reducing excessive glutamatergic activity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. To date, no RCT has examined NAC for smoking cessation among dual users of tobacco and cannabis. METHOD In a double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT, we will examine NAC for smoking cessation among dual users of tobacco and cannabis. Sixty adult cigarette-cannabis co-users are randomized to receive NAC 3600 mg per day or placebo over 8 weeks. Participants in both groups receive 8 weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions addressing smoking cessation and cannabis reduction. Outcomes are assessed at Weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. Primary aims are to determine NAC's efficacy in decreasing cigarette craving, nicotine dependence, and use; and cannabis craving and use. Exploratory aims include examination of changes in neurocognition with NAC and their potential mediational effects on cigarette and cannabis use outcomes. CONCLUSION Results will inform smoking cessation treatment among dual users of tobacco and cannabis. CLINICALTRIALS gov Identifier: NCT04627922.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen D Herbst
- Mental Health Service (116B), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - David L Pennington
- Mental Health Service (116B), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Brian Borsari
- Mental Health Service (116B), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jennifer Manuel
- Mental Health Service (116B), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Matthew Yalch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Palo Alto University, 1791 Arastradero Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Eric Alcid
- Mental Health Service (116B), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Madeline Martinez Rivas
- Mental Health Service (116B), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Joannalyn Delacruz
- Mental Health Service (116B), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Nathan Rossi
- Mental Health Service (116B), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Brianna Garcia
- California Institute of Technology, 1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Natalie Wong
- Mental Health Service (116B), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Steven L Batki
- Mental Health Service (116B), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Kirkland AE, Browning BD, Green R, Liu H, Maralit AM, Ferguson PL, Meyerhoff DJ, Prisciandaro JJ, Miranda R, Brady KT, Tomko RL, Gray KM, Squeglia LM. N-acetylcysteine does not alter neurometabolite levels in non-treatment seeking adolescents who use alcohol heavily: A preliminary randomized clinical trial. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1184-1193. [PMID: 36878996 PMCID: PMC10267108 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01553-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Current treatments for adolescent alcohol use disorder (AUD) are mainly psychosocial and limited in their efficacy. As such, pharmacotherapies are being investigated as potential adjunctive treatments to bolster treatment outcomes. N-acetylcysteine is a promising candidate pharmacotherapy for adolescent AUD because of its tolerability and demonstrated ability to modulate glutamatergic, GABAergic, and glutathione systems. The primary objective of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects crossover preliminary investigation was to measure potential changes within glutamate + glutamine (Glx), GABA, and glutathione levels in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy during 10-days of N-acetylcysteine (1200 mg twice daily) compared to 10-days of placebo in non-treatment seeking adolescents who use alcohol heavily (N = 31; 55% female). Medication adherence was confirmed via video. Effects on alcohol use were measured using Timeline Follow-Back as an exploratory aim. Linear mixed effects models controlling for baseline metabolite levels, brain tissue composition, alcohol use, cannabis use, and medication adherence found no significant differences in Glx, GABA, or glutathione levels in the dACC after N-acetylcysteine compared to placebo. There were also no measurable effects on alcohol use; however, this finding was underpowered. Findings were consistent in the subsample of participants who met criteria for AUD (n = 19). The preliminary null findings in brain metabolite levels may be due to the young age of participants, relatively low severity of alcohol use, and non-treatment seeking status of the population investigated. Future studies can use these findings to conduct larger, well-powered studies within adolescents with AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Kirkland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Brittney D Browning
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - ReJoyce Green
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Helen Liu
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Anna M Maralit
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Pamela L Ferguson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Dieter J Meyerhoff
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - James J Prisciandaro
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Robert Miranda
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Kathleen T Brady
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rachel L Tomko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kevin M Gray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Lindsay M Squeglia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Mechanistic Effects and Use of N-acetylcysteine in Substance Use Disorders. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40473-022-00250-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Bradlow RCJ, Berk M, Kalivas PW, Back SE, Kanaan RA. The Potential of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) in the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders. CNS Drugs 2022; 36:451-482. [PMID: 35316513 PMCID: PMC9095537 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00907-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is a compound of increasing interest in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Primarily through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and glutamate modulation activity, NAC has been investigated in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar-related disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive-related disorders, substance-use disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and chronic pain. Whilst there is ample preclinical evidence and theoretical justification for the use of NAC in the treatment of multiple psychiatric disorders, clinical trials in most disorders have yielded mixed results. However, most studies have been underpowered and perhaps too brief, with some evidence of benefit only after months of treatment with NAC. Currently NAC has the most evidence of having a beneficial effect as an adjuvant agent in the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, severe autism, depression, and obsessive compulsive and related disorders. Future research with well-powered studies that are of sufficient length will be critical to better understand the utility of NAC in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT-The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC Australia ,Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Peter W. Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC USA ,Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC USA
| | - Sudie E. Back
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC USA ,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC USA
| | - Richard A. Kanaan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
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McKetin R, Dean OM, Turner A, Kelly PJ, Quinn B, Lubman DI, Dietze P, Carter G, Higgs P, Sinclair B, Reid D, Baker AL, Manning V, Pas NT, Thomas T, Bathish R, Raftery DK, Wrobel A, Saunders L, Arunogiri S, Cordaro F, Hill H, Hall S, Clare PJ, Mohebbi M, Berk M. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for methamphetamine dependence: A randomised controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine 2021; 38:101005. [PMID: 34308314 PMCID: PMC8283342 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methamphetamine dependence is a significant global health concern for which there are no approved medications. The cysteine prodrug, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), has been found to ameliorate glutamate dysregulation in addiction, and to reduce craving for methamphetamine and other drugs. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of NAC as a pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine dependence. METHODS A parallel double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial of people dependent on methamphetamine recruited from Geelong, Melbourne and Wollongong, Australia, between July 2018 and December 2019. Participants were randomised to receive either 12 weeks of oral NAC (2400 mg/day) or matched placebo, delivered as a take-home medication. The primary outcome was methamphetamine use, measured in two ways: (a) change in days of use in the past 4 weeks from baseline to weeks 4, 8 and 12, assessed using the Timeline Followback; and (b) methamphetamine-positive oral fluid samples taken weekly. Analyses were intention-to-treat and based on imputed data. Secondary outcomes were craving, severity of dependence, withdrawal severity and psychiatric symptoms (depression, suicidality, hostility and psychotic symptoms). Significance levels were p < 0.025 for primary outcomes and p < 0.01 for secondary outcomes. Adverse events were compared between groups by system organ class. The study was prospectively registered, ACTRN12618000366257. RESULTS Participants (N = 153; 59% male, mean [SD] age 38 [8]) were randomised to placebo (n = 77) or NAC (n = 76). Both groups had a median (IQR) of 24 (15-28) days of methamphetamine use in the 4 weeks prior to baseline. Both groups significantly reduced methamphetamine use (mean [SE] reduction of 7.3 [1.2]) days for placebo, 6.8 [1.2] for NAC) but NAC did not reduce days of methamphetamine use more than placebo (group difference of 0.5 days, 97.5% CI -3.4-4.3). There was no significant effect of NAC on methamphetamine-positive oral fluid samples (placebo 79%, NAC 76%; mean difference -2.6, 97.5% CI -12.6-7.4). NAC did not significantly reduce craving, severity of dependence, withdrawal, suicidality, depression, hostility or psychotic symptoms relative to placebo. Adverse events did not differ significantly between placebo and NAC groups. INTERPRETATION These findings suggest that take-home oral NAC has no significant effect on methamphetamine use or most clinically related outcomes amongst people who are dependent on the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca McKetin
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Olivia M. Dean
- Deakin University, School of Medicine, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Geelong, Australia
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alyna Turner
- Deakin University, School of Medicine, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Geelong, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Peter J. Kelly
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Brendan Quinn
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dan I. Lubman
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, Australia
| | - Paul Dietze
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Australia
| | - Gregory Carter
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Peter Higgs
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Barbara Sinclair
- Drug and Alcohol Services, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, Australia
| | - David Reid
- Drug and Alcohol Services, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Amanda L. Baker
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Victoria Manning
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, Australia
| | - Nina te Pas
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Australia
| | - Tamsin Thomas
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Ramez Bathish
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, Australia
| | - Dayle K. Raftery
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Anna Wrobel
- Deakin University, School of Medicine, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Geelong, Australia
| | - Lucy Saunders
- Deakin University, School of Medicine, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Geelong, Australia
| | - Shalini Arunogiri
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Frank Cordaro
- Drug and Alcohol Services, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Harry Hill
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Scott Hall
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Philip J. Clare
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Mohammadreza Mohebbi
- Deakin University, School of Medicine, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Geelong, Australia
- Faculty of Health, Biostatistics Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, School of Medicine, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Geelong, Australia
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Health Drug and Alcohol Services, Geelong, Australia
- Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Schulte MHJ, Goudriaan AE, Boendermaker WJ, van den Brink W, Wiers RW. The effect of N-acetylcysteine and working memory training on glutamate concentrations in the dACC and rACC in regular cocaine users - A randomized proof of concept study. Neurosci Lett 2021; 762:136146. [PMID: 34332028 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current treatments for cocaine use disorder (CUD) are not very effective and better treatments are needed. This study investigates the effectiveness of a combined intervention that targets the assumed underlying glutamate pathology in cocaine users. To this end, the combined effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and working memory (WM) training on glutamate concentrations in the dorsal and rostral ACC were investigated in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled design. METHODS In this study, 38 regular cocaine-using men were randomized to either 25-days with 2400 mg/day NAC and WM-training or 25 days with placebo with WM-training. Cocaine use, impulsivity, and glutamate concentrations in the dACC and rACC using proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy were assessed at baseline and after treatment. RESULTS Twenty-four participants completed the study, of which 9 received NAC and 15 received placebo. There were no baseline correlations of glutamate concentrations in the dACC or rACC with cocaine use measures or impulsivity. Additionally, there were no effects of NAC, WM-training, or the combination thereof on (changes in) glutamate concentrations in the dACC or rACC. DISCUSSION This randomized proof of concept study could not confirm our hypotheses. Possible explanations are insufficient power and the possible absence of deviant baseline glutamate concentrations in the included participants. Future studies should consider larger samples and a non-using control group to confirm baseline deviations in glutamate in cocaine users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieke H J Schulte
- Addiction, Development, and Psychopathology (ADAPT) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Faculty of Movement and Behavioral Science, Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Section of Clinical Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Anna E Goudriaan
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Arkin, Department of Research and Quality of Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter J Boendermaker
- Addiction, Development, and Psychopathology (ADAPT) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Wim van den Brink
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Reinout W Wiers
- Addiction, Development, and Psychopathology (ADAPT) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Chang CT, Hsieh PJ, Lee HC, Lo CH, Tam KW, Loh EW. Effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in Treating Clinical Symptoms of Substance Abuse and Dependence: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2021; 19:282-293. [PMID: 33888657 PMCID: PMC8077050 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2021.19.2.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective Treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is believed to reduce the clinical symptoms among individuals with substance abuse or dependence. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of NAC in treating substance abuse and dependence. Methods PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov registry, and the Cochrane Library were searched for trials published before June 2020. Results A total of 16 trials were analyzed. The treatment effectiveness domains assessed in this study were craving and depressive symptoms, withdrawal syndrome, adverse events, and smoking frequency. Standardized mean difference (SMD), weighted mean difference (WMD), and odds ratio (OR) were used for evaluation where appropriate. A significant decrease in craving symptoms was observed in the NAC treatment group compared with the control group (SMD, −0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.21 to 0.21). When withdrawal and depressive symptoms were considered as a single domain, the NAC treatment group demonstrated a significantly higher overall improvement than the control group (SMD, −0.35; 95% CI, −0.64 to −0.06). No between-group differences in term of the OR of adverse events (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.68 to 2.06) and a non-significant trend toward reduction in smoking frequency was observed in the NAC treatment group compared with the control group (WMD, −3.09; 95% CI, −6.50 to 0.32). Conclusion NAC provides certain noticeable benefits in attenuating substance craving and might help alleviate depressive symptoms and withdrawal syndrome. Precautious measures should be considered when using NAC although no difference in adverse effects was found between NAC treatment and control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Ting Chang
- Department of Primary Medicine, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ju Hsieh
- Department of Medical Education, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Chien Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hong Lo
- Department of Primary Medicine, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ka-Wai Tam
- Center for Evidence-Based Health Care and Shared Decision Making Resource Center, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Cochrane Taiwan, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - El-Wui Loh
- Center for Evidence-Based Health Care and Shared Decision Making Resource Center, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Cochrane Taiwan, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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10
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Abstract
RATIONALE Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a cross-species neuroimaging technique that can measure concentrations of several brain metabolites, including glutamate and GABA. This non-invasive method has promise in developing centrally acting drugs, as it can be performed repeatedly within-subjects and be used to translate findings from the preclinical to clinical laboratory using the same imaging biomarker. OBJECTIVES This review focuses on the utility of single-voxel 1H-MRS in developing novel glutamatergic or GABAergic drugs for the treatment of psychiatric disorders and includes research performed in rodent models, healthy volunteers and patient cohorts. RESULTS Overall, these studies indicate that 1H-MRS is able to detect the predicted pharmacological effects of glutamatergic or GABAergic drugs on voxel glutamate or GABA concentrations, although there is a shortage of studies examining dose-related effects. Clinical studies have applied 1H-MRS to better understand drug therapeutic mechanisms, including the glutamatergic effects of ketamine in depression and of acamprosate in alcohol dependence. There is an emerging interest in identifying patient subgroups with 'high' or 'low' brain regional 1H-MRS glutamate levels for more targeted drug development, which may require ancillary biomarkers to improve the accuracy of subgroup discrimination. CONCLUSIONS Considerations for future research include the sensitivity of single-voxel 1H-MRS in detecting drug effects, inter-site measurement reliability and the interpretation of drug-induced changes in 1H-MRS metabolites relative to the known pharmacological molecular mechanisms. On-going technological development, in single-voxel 1H-MRS and in related complementary techniques, will further support applications within CNS drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Egerton
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, UK.
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11
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O'Gorman Tuura R, Warnock G, Ametamey S, Treyer V, Noeske R, Buck A, Sommerauer M. Imaging glutamate redistribution after acute N-acetylcysteine administration: A simultaneous PET/MR study. Neuroimage 2018; 184:826-833. [PMID: 30296554 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain, but in vivo imaging of acute fluctuations in glutamatergic levels has not been well established. The purpose of this study was to examine acute changes in glutamate after stimulation with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) using a simultaneous positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance spectroscopy (PET/MRS) approach. Ten healthy adult males were examined in two scanning sessions, and 5g NAC was administered 1 h prior to one of the scan sessions. Simultaneous PET/MR data were acquired using an integrated 3T PET/MR scanner. Glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), and glutamate + glutamine (Glx) levels were assessed from MRS data collected from the basal ganglia with PRESS and from the left prefrontal cortex with PRESS and MEGAPRESS, and mGluR5 binding (BPND) was assessed from PET data collected with [18F]PSS232. NAC administration was associated with a significant reduction in Glx and Gln in the basal ganglia spectra, and in Glx in the frontal MEGAPRESS spectra (p < 0.05); no differences in [18F]PSS232 BPND were observed with NAC, although a correlation between pre-/post-treatment Glx and baseline BPnd was found. The MRS-visible Glx signal is sensitive to acute fluctuations in glutamate. The change in Glx was mostly driven by a change in Gln, lending weight to the notion that Gln can provide a proxy marker for neurotransmitter/synaptic glutamate. [18F]PSS232 binding is not sensitive to acute glutamate shifts independently, but was associated with the extent of glutamate liberation upon NAC stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth O'Gorman Tuura
- Center for MR Research, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Geoff Warnock
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Ametamey
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4 4, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Valerie Treyer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Alfred Buck
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Sommerauer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
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12
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Xu J, Li H, Wang F, Xu Z, Li G, Ding C, Wu J, Kang Y, Li H, Xu H, Liu Y. Lack of correlation between CSF glutamate levels and PSQI scores in heavy smokers. Sleep Breath 2018; 23:297-302. [PMID: 30088240 DOI: 10.1007/s11325-018-1705-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that participates in initiation and maintenance of sleep and wakefulness. The mechanisms involved occur in the brainstem, lateral hypothalamus, and basal forebrain. Our previous study suggested that higher levels of glutamate in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contributed to poorer sleep quality. Smoking has been shown to be harmful to sleep quality. In the present study, we recruited non-smokers and heavy smokers and measured the concentration of CSF glutamate in order to investigate the associations among smoking status, sleep quality, and CSF glutamate levels. METHODS We recruited 147 men (n = 68 non-smokers, 30.31 ± 9.10 years; n = 79 heavy smokers, 34.54 ± 10.71 years). Glutamate concentrations in CSF were measured by spectrophotometry, and subjective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS PSQI total scores were significantly higher in heavy smokers than that in non-smokers (p < 0.001). Glutamate concentrations in CSF were lower in heavy smokers than that in non-smokers (p < 0.001). CSF glutamate levels positively correlated with PSQI total scores in the non-smokers group (r = 0.313, p = 0.011, effect size = 0.324). No correlation was found between CSF glutamate levels and PSQI total scores in the heavy smokers group (p > 0.05). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that years of smoking was contributed to the PSQI total scores (p = 0.008), and cigarettes smoked per day contributed to the decreased CSF glutamate levels in heavy smokers (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION Poorer subjective sleep quality and lower CSF glutamate concentrations were observed in the heavy smokers group than in the non-smokers group. In addition, lack of correlation was observed between CSF glutamate levels and PSQI scores in the heavy smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinzhong Xu
- The Affiliated Wenling Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenling, 317500, China.,College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Hui Li
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830028, China.,Psychosomatic Medicine Research Division, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Huhhot, 010110, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830028, China.,Beijing Hui-Long-Guan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100096, China
| | - Zeping Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Guohua Li
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830028, China
| | - Cheng Ding
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Junnan Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Yimin Kang
- Psychosomatic Medicine Research Division, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Huhhot, 010110, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Ningbo Medical Treatment Center, Li Huili Hospital, Ningbo, 315000, China
| | - Heng Xu
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830028, China. .,The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
| | - Yanlong Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
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13
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Morley KC, Baillie A, Van Den Brink W, Chitty KE, Brady K, Back SE, Seth D, Sutherland G, Leggio L, Haber PS. N-acetyl cysteine in the treatment of alcohol use disorder in patients with liver disease: Rationale for further research. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2018; 27:667-675. [PMID: 30019966 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2018.1501471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the leading cause of alcohol-related death and one of the most common forms of liver disease. Abstinence from alcohol is crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. However, there are few pharmacotherapies for alcohol use disorder suitable for those with significant liver disease. AREAS COVERED This paper presents a rationale for investigating the use of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to promote abstinence or reduce heavy alcohol consumption for patients with an alcohol use disorder, particularly in the presence of liver disease. NAC is an antioxidant with glutamatergic modulating and anti-inflammatory properties. Evidence is emerging that oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation and dysregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission play a key role in alcohol use disorder. Similarly, oxidative stress is known to contribute to ALD. We outline the studies that have investigated NAC to reduce alcohol consumption including preclinical and clinical studies. We also review the evidence for NAC in other addictions as well as psychiatric and physical comorbidities associated with alcohol use disorders. EXPERT OPINION NAC is low cost, well-tolerated and could have promise for the treatment of alcohol use disorder in the presence of liver disease. Clinical trials directly examining efficacy in this population are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten C Morley
- a University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School , NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Andrew Baillie
- b NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Sydney , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Wim Van Den Brink
- c Academic Medical Center , University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Kate E Chitty
- d Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Pharmacology , University of Sydney, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Research Group , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Kathleen Brady
- e South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Centre , Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston , United States of America
| | - Sudie E Back
- f Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston
| | - Devanshi Seth
- g The University of Sydney, Centenary Institute , Camperdown , NSW , Australia
| | - Greg Sutherland
- h Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Pathology , University of Sydney , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- i Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA.,j Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies , Brown University , Providence , RI , USA
| | - Paul S Haber
- a University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School , NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use , Sydney , NSW , Australia.,k Drug Health Services , Royal Prince Alfred Hospital , Camperdown , NSW , Australia
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