NCT04542161Active, not recruitingPhase 2
Assessment of N-Acetylcysteine as Therapy for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Mechanistic Assessment of N-Acetylcysteine as an Antioxidant Therapy for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Through Dose Response and Treatment Target Engagement
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 22 Jun 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) is an unexplained multisymptom/multisystem disorder for which there are currently no validated treatments. The present exploratory clinical trial aims to advance our understand of the mechanisms of in situ GSH synthesis control through assessment of the response of brain GSH and plasma markers of oxidative stress to different doses of NAC in comparison to placebo, as a potential treatment for ME/CFS that would provide neuroprotection against oxidative stress by restoring cortical GSH reserves. If successful, this exploratory clinical trial would address a significant public health concern by shedding new light onto the mechanisms of action of NAC in brain GSH restoration, which could open a new avenue for the development of potentially effective treatments for a disorder, ME/CFS, that currently has none.
- Status (registry)
- Active, not recruiting
- Phase (registry)
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 95 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 28 Aug 2020
- Start date
- 1 Sept 2020
- Primary completion date
- 30 Apr 2027
- Lead sponsor
- Weill Medical College of Cornell University
- Diseases
- Long COVID and ME/CFS
- NCT number
- NCT04542161
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional · Phase 2
- Planned participants: 95
- From 1 Sept 2020 to the primary completion date, 30 Apr 2027
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Other illness
- Significant and/or comorbid axis I (especially mood and anxiety) and axis II disorders.
- Any significant neurological illness or impairment.
- Other unstable medical conditions (asthma, hypertension, endocrine or metabolic disease, etc).
Other
- History alcohol abuse.
- Positive urine toxicology at screening and on days of assessments.
- Positive pregnancy test at screening or on days of assessments.
- Contra-indication for clinical MRI scan (e.g., pacemaker, metallic prosthesis).
- Baseline GSH levels higher than a predefined cutoff value.
Who the study is looking for
- Males or females, ages 21 to 60 years (inclusive).
- Baseline GSH levels at or less than a predefined cutoff value.
- Primary diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
- Willing and capable of providing informed consent.
Age in the registry: 21 years to 60 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weill Cornell Medicine Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | New York | United States | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.