The cystine-glutamate transporter enhancer N-acetyl-l-cysteine attenuates cocaine-induced changes in striatal dopamine but not self-administration in squirrel monkeys

► N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) is a cystine-glutamate transporter enhancer. ► We hypothesized increasing transporter activity would decrease the neurochemical and behavioral effects of cocaine. ► NAC reduced cocaine-induced increases in dopamine in squirrel monkey caudate. ► NAC did not alter self-administration of cocaine or reinstatement of this behavior. ► Here, drug interactions altered neurochemistry but not behavior.