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Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Evidence-Based Supplement Research

N-Acetyl Cysteine and Improved Working Memory

Doses used in studies

g/day: 2 (median 2, IQR 2–2) — 1 study
mg/day: 2,400 (median 2,400, IQR 2,400–2,400) — 1 study

Time to effect

Median: 5.6 months · IQR 5.6 months–5.6 months · Range 5.6 months–5.6 months — Reported in 2 of 2 studies

Safety in these studies

adverse eventsNo significant difference
N-acetylcysteine was generally well-tolerated, with adverse events comparable between groups.
from: Efficacy and safety of N-acetylcysteine in patients with mild cognitive impairment undergo
Overall tolerabilityReported
N-acetylcysteine was generally well-tolerated, with adverse events comparable between groups.
from: Efficacy and safety of N-acetylcysteine in patients with mild cognitive impairment undergo

2 of 2 papers

Efficacy and safety of N-acetylcysteine in patients with mild cognitive impairment undergoing exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program: a randomized controlled trial.
- 2026-04-27
- RCT · n = 59
- Alzheimer's research & therapy 18(1)
- - Damien Gallagher
  - Yejin Kang
  - Nathan Herrmann
  - Alex Kiss
  - Sandra E Black
  - Paul Oh
  - Susan Marzolini
  - Jennifer S Rabin
  - Ana Andreazza
  - Joel Ramirez
  - Fuqiang Gao
  - Mark Rapoport
  - Jinghan Jenny Chen
  - Kate Survilla
  - Danielle Vieira
  - Ethan Mah
  - Walter Swardfager
  - Krista L Lanctôt
- PubMed: 42045982
- DOI: 10.1186/s13195-026-02062-z
7 Insights on
- Improved Working Memory
- High evidence
- Clinical
with no significant differences between N-acetylcysteine and placebo (B=-0.04, 95% CI=-0.28 to 0.20, p=0.8) or in other cognitive domains.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Dose
2400 mg/day
Cognitive effects of adjunctive N-acetyl cysteine in psychosis.
- 2016-11-29
- RCT · n = 58
- Psychological medicine 47(5)
- - M Rapado-Castro
  - S Dodd
  - A I Bush
  - G S Malhi
  - D R Skvarc
  - Z X On
  - M Berk
  - O M Dean
- PubMed: 27894373
- DOI: 10.1017/s0033291716002932
1 Insight on
- Improved Working Memory
- High evidence
- Clinical
Participants treated with NAC had significantly higher working memory performance at week 24 compared with placebo (U = 98.5, p = 0.027).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
2 g/day