Could an antioxidant help treat chronic fatigue? new trial tests NAC

NCT ID NCT04542161

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This Phase 2 trial tests whether N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, can help people with ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome). Researchers will give 95 participants different doses of NAC or a placebo for four weeks, then measure brain glutathione levels and markers of oxidative stress. The goal is to understand if NAC can protect the brain from oxidative damage and potentially lead to new treatments for this condition.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
What this could lead to: If successful, this trial could point toward a treatment for ME/CFS by showing that NAC restores brain glutathione and reduces oxidative stress.
What could go wrong: This is an early exploratory trial with only 95 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It tests mechanisms, not direct symptom relief, and may fail to show benefit.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

myalgic encephalomeyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Weill Cornell Medicine

New York, New York, 10021, United States

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