Fig. 1.

CONSORT flow diagram, primary and secondary outcomes. (A) Reasons for withdrawal from trial, ¹white matter lesions detected at baseline MRI scan; ²withdrew at baseline; ³lack of motivation; ⁴side effects. (B) Change in PANSS− score vs baseline in NAC (red circles) and placebo (green triangles) groups at each visit. (C) Comparison of NAC vs placebo in the rate of improvement. PANSS, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale; GAF, General Assessment of Functioning; SOFAS, Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale; β, an estimate of NAC effect vs placebo; SE, standard error.