NAC works for Depression in Bipolar Patients

[liveonearth]

http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(08)00500-3/abstract
study published in 2008:
N-Acetyl Cysteine for Depressive Symptoms in Bipolar Disorder
—A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
both depression and bipolar disorder are complicated by glutathione depletion
n = 75
NAC dose: 1g twice daily
4-week washout
2 primary outcomes: Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), time to a mood episode
secondary outcomes: Bipolar Depression Rating Scale, 11 others incl clinical status, qol, fx
NAC treatment--> sig improvement on the MADRS and most secondary scales at end point
benefit was evident by 8 weeks/20weeks, depending on outcome measure
no effect on time to a mood episode
no significant between-group differences in adverse events