Efficacy and Safety of N-acetylcysteine in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment Undergoing Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Oxidative stress is implicated in the etiology of mild cognitive impairment. We hypothesized that oral supplementation with N-acetylcysteine, a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione, would improve cognitive outcomes among individuals with mild cognitive impairment. n this 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants enrolled in an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program with possible vascular mild cognitive impairment were randomized to receive either oral N-acetylcysteine (2400 mg/day) or placebo. Cognition was assessed using a neuropsychological battery, with a standardized executive function composite score as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included verbal memory, working memory, non-verbal memory, attention and global cognition. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, adjusting for relevant covariates. A total of 59 participants [mean (SD) age = 67.6 (7.7), male (