This is a 12-week, double-blind study of N-Acetyl Cysteine in the treatment of trichotillomania

The goal of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) in trichotillomania. Forty subjects with DSM-IV trichotillomania will receive 12 weeks of double-blind NAC or placebo. The hypothesis to be tested is that NAC will be effective and well tolerated in patients with trichotillomania compared to placebo. The proposed study will provide needed data on the treatment of a disabling disorder that currently lacks a clearly effective treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• men and women age 18-65;
• current DSM-IV trichotillomania

Exclusion Criteria:

• unstable medical illness;
• history of seizures;
• myocardial infarction within 6 months;
• current pregnancy or lactation, or inadequate contraception in women of childbearing potential;
• any thoughts of suicide;
• lifetime history of DSM-IV bipolar disorder type I, dementia, or schizophrenia or any other DSM-IV psychotic disorder;
• previous treatment with N-Acetyl Cysteine;
• treatment with investigational medication or depot neuroleptics within 3 months, with fluoxetine within 6 weeks, or with other psychotropics within 2 weeks prior to study baseline;
• 9) diagnosis of asthma