Glutathione, Oxidative Stress and N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in Psychiatric Disorders - Prof Berk

Professor Michael Berk is currently an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow and is Alfred Deakin Chair of Psychiatry at Deakin University and Barwon Health, where he heads the IMPACT Strategic Research Centre. This video at the Psych Scene Symposium takes you through studies that have demonstrated that there is reduced glutathione in major psychiatric illness, i.e. Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. Oxidative stress can alter redox status impacting on methionine synthase, gene transcription, and protein expression. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) has robust effects on neurogenesis and apoptosis, directly reverses mitochondrial dysfunction, potent anti-inflammatory effects, and indirect effects on dopamine and glutamate. Take-home Points • Glutathione, the brain’s primary antioxidant, is decreased in schizophrenia and increased by NAC. • Altered epigenetic signaling through oxidative stress may explain the relationship between childhood stress and vulnerability to developing adult illnesses. • C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and TNF-[Symbol] are important immune markers. Full article: