Encephalitis is the medical term for the inflammation of the brain, an inflammation which is usually caused by a virus. The viral infection irritates the brain and causes it to swell. The treatment may include fluids, nutrition and various medications. Meanwhile, scientists are investigating the use of N-acetylcysteine for preventing and decreasing the inflammation of the brain.
N-Acetylcysteine
N-acetylcysteine, also referred to as acetylcysteine and N-Acetyl-L-cysteine, is a medication used to break up the thick mucus which develops in the lungs of someone with cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases. It is an antidote for an acetaminophen overdose, preventing damage to the liver if it is taken within eight to 10 hours of the overdose, according to Thomas Kearney, PharmD, Managing Director of the California Poison Control System in "Poisoning & Drug Overdose." It is also an anti-oxidant, which is why researchers are investigating the use of N-acetylcysteine to prevent brain inflammation.
N-Acetylcysteine and Inflammation
M. Khan wrote an article in the May 2004 issue of the "Journal of Neuroscience Research" which stated that inflammatory substances and free radicals, substances which can damage the cells, have a role in the lack of blood flow to the brain. A research study was done involving rats that were made to have a stroke; they were given N-acetylcysteine when the blood flow was restored and then again in six hours. The rats that received N-acetylcysteine had less brain damage compared to the control group and the lab tests showed less brain inflammation.
N-Acetylcysteine and Brain Inflammation
If a newborn baby is not getting enough oxygen during delivery or the mother has an infection, the child is at a higher risk for brain injury involving free radicals. In the March 2007 issue of the "Annals of Neurology," X. Wang wrote that since free radicals are a major cause of inflammation, a study was conducted to evaluate the use of N-acetylcysteine in decreasing brain inflammation, since N-acetylcysteine is an antioxidant. The results of this study were that there was 78 percent less brain inflammation in the lab rats given N-acetylcysteine before and after a brain injury, and 41 percent less inflammation in those treated only after the injury.
N-Acetylcysteine and Blood-Brain Barrier
The term blood-brain barrier describes the network of capillaries where the cells are very close to each other, so there is a very tight control over what substances can leave the bloodstream and enter the brain. The barrier protects the environment within the brain against infections and toxins, stops small molecules and proteins from entering, and maintains a stable environment in the fluid around the nerve cells of the brain. Yet, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water can easily enter the brain. A.G. de Boer wrote in the April 2006 issue of the "Journal of Neural Transmission," about a study where N-acetylcysteine protected the barrier against inflammatory substances.
References
- "Annals of Neurology"; N-acetylcysteine Reduces Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury; X. Wang et al.; 2007
- "Clinical Neuroanatomy"; Stephen Waxman, M.D., Ph.D; 2010
- "Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology"; Kim Barrett, Ph.D., Susan Barman, Ph.D. et al.; 2010
- "Journal of Neural Transmission"; BBB Dysfunction and Recovery; A. G. de Boer, P. J. Gaillard; 2006
- "Journal of Neuroscience Research"; Admin. of N-acetylcysteine Protects Brain; M. Khan et al.; 2004
- "Poisoning & Drug Overdose"; Kent Olson, M.D.; 2007
