Originally Posted by badboy99

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22546753

N-acetyl-cysteine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. What are we waiting for?
Martínez-Banaclocha MA.
Author information
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder that is ameliorated with levodopa. However, long-term use of this drug is limited by motor complications, postural instability and dementia resulting in the progression of the disease. Insights into the organization of the basal ganglia and knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for cell death in Parkinson's disease has permitted the development of putative neuro-protective drugs that might slow the disease progression. Although no drug has yet been established to alter the rate of disease progression, recent publications have confirmed previous results and hypotheses about the probable role of thiolic antioxidants on Parkinson's disease, demonstrating a significant reduction of dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in α-synuclein over expressing mice treated with oral N-acetyl-cysteine. This thiolic antioxidant is a modified form of the natural amino acid cysteine, which is the precursor of the most potent intracellular antioxidant glutathione. Besides, increasing evidence has been accumulated in the last 10years about the beneficial effects of this thiolic antioxidant in experimental and pathologic states of the nervous system, including against neurotoxic substances. The present paper put forward the existing rationale evidence for the use of N-acetyl-cysteine alone or in combination with levodopa in the clinical management of this neurodegenerative disorder.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Originally Posted by Blackfeather

This is great information, thanks for posting it. Apparently phase 1 study was using intravenous NAC, while phase 2 is with oral supplementation. I will definitely will be increasing my NAC intake to approximate the study amount of 6,000 mg. daily. If I read the study correctly, we have to wait a year for the results. More trials like this one using natural supplements need to be done. If they get good results, I am sure the main stream medical establishment will throw plenty of rocks at this study, mainly because of the small sample size. Why can't the Fox Foundation fund a sudy like this?

Originally Posted by soccertese

http://uwire.com/2013/09/15/research...-in-a-new-way/
i assume there is some animal data supporting this theory

Originally Posted by GerryW

"If researchers can make NAC in a pill or tablet form, patients could easily take supplements themselves rather than going into the clinic for an IV dose."

This is ridiculous. NAC has been available in a capsule for years. In fact, Life Extension Mix, which I have taken since long before this affliction, has 600 mg in the daily dose. Of course, 6000 mg of capsules would be a challenge at 10 a day.