The effects of N-Acetylcysteine on frontostriatal resting-state functional connectivity, withdrawal symptoms and smoking abstinence: A double-blind, placebo-controlled fMRI pilot study.

摘要: Abstract Background Chronic exposure to drugs of abuse disrupts frontostriatal glutamate transmission, which in turn meditates drug seeking. In animal models, N -Acetylcysteine normalizes dysregulated glutamatergic neurotransmission and prevents reinstated seeking; however, the effects on human circuitry function maintaining smoking abstinence is unknown. Thus, current study tested hypothesis that would be associated with stronger resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), attenuated nicotine withdrawal help smokers maintain over period. Methods The present examined rsFC, nicotine-withdrawal symptoms abstinence. Healthy adult, non-treatment seeking (  = 16; mean (SD) age 36.5 ± 11.9; cigs/day 15.8 ± 6.1; years/smoking 15.7 ± 8.9) were randomized a double-blind course 2400 mg (1200 mg b.i.d.) or placebo 3½ days monetary-incentivized On each abstinent day, measures mood craving collected participants attended lab visit order assess (i.e., expired-air carbon monoxide [CO]). day 4, underwent fMRI scanning. Results As compared n  = 8), group  = 8) maintained abstinence, reported less higher positive affect (all p 's  Conclusions Taken together, these findings suggest may positively corticostriatal connectivity, restructure reward processing, immediately following quit attempt.