N-acetylcysteine and NMDA Antagonist Interactions

N-acetylcysteine and NMDA Antagonist Interactions

This study tests the hypothesis that extrasynaptic mechanisms are critically linked with cognitive effects of NMDA antagonism as evidenced by event-related potentials (ERPs) in healthy humans.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages of 21-45 years from all ethnic backgrounds.
• Male or female.
• Written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• DSM-IV diagnosis for a psychotic, depressive or anxiety disorder.
• A history of significant medical/neurological disease such as cardiac, thyroid, renal, hepatic abnormality, seizure disorder. Unstable medical condition based on EKG, vital signs, physical examination and laboratory work-up (CBC with differential, SMA-7, LFTs, TFTs, UA, Utox, Urine pregnancy test) .
• History of severe allergies or multiple adverse drug reactions.
• Any medication that in the opinion of the PI could interfere with either the safety of the study and/or the outcome measures.
• Any other conditions which in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation in the study.
• History of major psychiatric disorder in first degree relatives.
• Current substance abuse/dependency determined by urine toxicology.
• Current treatment with medications with psychotropic effects.
• Treatment with benzodiazepines within one week prior to testing.
• Current pregnancy, unsatisfactory birth control method report for females.
• Education < 10th grade.
• IQ < 70, MR as determined by Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence.
• Non-English speaking.