N-acetylcysteine modulates hallucinogenic 5-HT(2A) receptor agonist-mediated responses: behavioral, molecular, and electrophysiological studies.
Neuropharmacology June 1, 2014 Mei-Yi Lee, Chun-Cheng Chiang, Hong-Yi Chiu et al.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) attenuates hallucinogenic effects caused by activation of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, as shown in mice. NAC reduced head twitch responses, expression of c-Fos and Egr-2 in brain regions, and excitatory field potentials in cortical slices induced by the hallucinogenic drug DOI. These effects were reversed by blocking the cystine-glutamate antiporter or the mGluR2 receptor, indicating NAC works by increasing activity of the antiporter followed by activation of mGluR2 receptors. NAC may be a potential therapeutic for hallucinations and psychosis.