UC Trials Explore Non-Medication Treatments for Youth Depression

New interventions like N-acetylcysteine and mindfulness-based therapy aim to address root causes without SSRI side effects.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are conducting a $3.5 million clinical trial to investigate two non-pharmacological interventions for treating mild depression in teens and young adults aged 15 to 24. The trial will test the effectiveness of the amino acid N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, aiming to find alternatives to traditional antidepressant medications that can have concerning side effects in younger patients.

Why it matters

The typical age of onset for mood disorders is during adolescence and early adulthood, making early intervention crucial. While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be effective, their side effect profile in younger patients raises concerns, driving a surge in research on alternative, non-medication approaches that address the root causes of depression and anxiety.

The details

The UC trial will enroll 160 participants and randomize them to receive both interventions, one intervention plus a placebo, or both placebos over an eight-week period. NAC is an amino acid available as an over-the-counter supplement that has shown potential benefits for psychiatric disorders, while mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is a non-pharmacological therapy aimed at addressing the psychological factors contributing to depression.

  • The UC trial is currently underway and will run for an eight-week period.
  • The trial is being funded by a $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

The players

Fabiano Nery, MD, PhD

Associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati, and the lead researcher on the clinical trial.

National Institutes of Health

The federal agency that provided a $3.5 million grant to fund the UC clinical trial investigating non-medication treatments for depression in young people.

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What they’re saying

“This study proposal is to understand the mechanism of action of these interventions, and we chose two interventions that are not medications like SSRIs.”

— Fabiano Nery, MD, PhD, Associate professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The UC trial is currently underway and will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the NAC and mindfulness-based therapy interventions over the eight-week study period.

The takeaway

This research represents a broader shift in mental healthcare towards more holistic and personalized treatments, moving beyond a reliance on medication alone. By exploring non-pharmacological interventions like supplements and mindfulness practices, clinicians aim to address the root causes of depression and anxiety in young people without the potential downsides of traditional antidepressants.