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Physiological Effects of N-Acetyl Cysteine in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

NCT03032601 · Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 55

Last updated 2025-09-17

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which the myelin surrounding the nerve cells is damaged which affects functioning. MS usually is treated with medications designed to reduce the occurrence of future MS events. Evidence suggests that an important part of the disease process is damage to the myelin and brain caused by too much oxygen (sometimes called oxidative stress) or too much inflammation (or swelling).

The overall goal of this study will be to determine whether N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) will help to support cerebral function in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This positron emission tomography magnetic resonance imaging (PET-MRI) study will utilize 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography FDG PET to measure cerebral metabolism, along with MRI analysis, to measure metabolism and structural effects of NAC in patients with MS.

Conditions

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

N-acetyl Cysteine

The study consists of two arms. The first arm of this study will receive intravenous and oral NAC, a strong antioxidant that increases brain glutathione, which may be beneficial in MS. NAC, is the N-acetyl derivative of the naturally occurring amino acid, L-cysteine. It is a common over-the-counter supplement that is also available as an injectable pharmaceutical that protects the liver in cases of acetaminophen overdose. It has the potential to reduce markers of oxidative damage, protect against cell death, and to increase glutathione in blood, which might be useful in preventing oxidative damage in MS patients. The second arm will be a waitlist control receiving standard MS care. It should be noted that both arms will receive standard of care while enrolled into the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Thomas Jefferson University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Daniel A Monti, MD, MBA · Thomas Jefferson University

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Model
FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2017-01-05
Primary Completion
2027-07-08
Completion
2027-07-08

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03032601 on ClinicalTrials.gov