Abstract N-Acetyl Cysteine, (NAC) is a precursor of the amino acid cysteine, which acts in two important metabolic roles. Through its metabolic contribution to glutathione production, cysteine participates to the anti-oxidant activities of the body. Through its role as a modulator of the glutamatergic sys- tem, cysteine infuences the brain reward-reinforcement pathway. In this review, we analyse some important studies which deal about traditional therapeutical proprieties (i.e. acute and chronic phlogosis of the respiratory tract, life-saving treatment for acute paracetamol intoxication or intoxi- cation due to amanita phalloides mushroom ingestion), the mechanism of NAC regulation of the glutamatergic signalling in the mesolimbic system, both in the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) and in the Nucleus Accumbens (NACc), which are considered as important brain areas involved in the mechanisms of addiction. The review takes in consideration studies on therapeutical effects of NAC
