N-Acetylcysteine for Pediatric Trichotillomania
Completed · Phase 2 · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Trichotillomania, Hair Pulling
In brief
Trichotillomania (hair pulling) has an estimated lifetime prevalence of 1-3%. Children with trichotillomania can experience significant impairment due to peer teasing, avoidance of activities (such as swimming and socializing), difficulty concentrating on school work and medical complications due to pulling behaviors. Despite the fact that trichotillomania has a childhood onset, no randomized, controlled trials have been completed in childhood trichotillomania. Research in adults with trichotillomania has demonstrated that most commonly currently prescribed treatment for trichotillomania, (pharmacotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) is ineffective in treating this condition. By contrast, randomized controlled trials in adults have suggested the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine as well as behavioral treatments such as Habit Reversal Therapy. The goal of this trial is to determine the efficacy of N-Acetylcysteine for pediatric trichotillomania. N-Acetylcysteine is a glutamate modulating agent, with a fairly benign side-effect profile.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT00993265
- Run by
- Yale University
- People needed
- 39
- Starts
- 2009-10-01
- Expected to finish
- 2014-03-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2014-07-25
Who can join
Age: 8 and older, up to 17. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Children aged 8-17 years.
- Primary DSM-IV diagnosis of trichotillomania or chronic hair pulling.
- Duration of trichotillomania greater than 6 months.
You may not qualify if…
- Comorbid bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, substance use disorder, developmental disorder or mental retardation (IQ<70).
- Recent change (less than 4 weeks) in medications that have potential effects on TTM severity (such as SSRIs, CMI, naltrexone, lithium, psychostimulants, anxiolytics, or antipsychotics). Medication change is defined to include either dose changes or medication discontinuation.
- Asthma requiring medication use within the last 6 months.
- Known hypersensitivity or previous anaphylactoid reaction to acetylcysteine or any components in its preparation
- Current use (within last week) of psychostimulant medications.
- Positive pregnancy test or drug screening test
Where it is running
- Yale Child Study Center — New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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