Effects of Transdermal Nicotine on Smoking, Craving and Withdrawal in People With Schizophrenia



Status:Completed
Conditions:Schizophrenia, Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Consumers
Therapuetic Areas:Psychiatry / Psychology, Pulmonary / Respiratory Diseases
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 80
Updated:1/13/2017
Start Date:June 2002
End Date:February 2005

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Transdermal Nicotine and Bupropion for Smoking in Schizophrenics (Study 1)

Individuals with schizophrenia are three times as likely to smoke cigarettes as individuals
without schizophrenia. While a great deal of research has been focused on smoking cessation
programs for healthy individuals, little attention has been directed towards developing an
effective smoking cessation treatment for schizophrenics. This project will evaluate the
effects of 0, 21 and 42 mg transdermal nicotine on smoking, urge to smoke, and nicotine
withdrawal symptoms after 5 hrs abstinence in smokers with schizophrenia and heavy-smoking
non-psychiatric control smokers.

Nicotine is the most commonly abused drug among individuals with schizophrenia; at least 60
percent of schizophrenics smoke cigarettes. Nicotine withdrawal may cause a temporary
worsening of schizophrenia symptoms, making it especially difficult for these individuals to
quit smoking. Little research has been done on the most effective way to control nicotine
use in schizophrenic individuals. Transdermal nicotine and bupropion reduce smoking in
non-psychiatric smokers, but little is known about the effects of these medications in
smokers with schizophrenia. This project examines the effects of 0, 21 and 42 mg transdermal
nicotine on smoking behavior and related subjective effects (urge to smoke and nicotine
withdrawal symptoms) in smokers with schizophrenia and non-psychiatric heavy smoking
controls. Participants come to the laboratory at 9 am, at which time placebo or nicotine
patches are applied. After 5 hrs of smoking abstinence, participants undergo a smoking cue
reactivity assessment in which craving and withdrawal symptoms are measured after viewing
and handling neutral cues and smoking cues. This is followed by 90 min period in which
participants can smoke freely, and smoking topography variables are measured.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Smokes between 20 and 50 cigarettes per day

- Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

Exclusion Criteria:

- If enrolled in the control group, must not be diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder

- Currently dependent on alcohol or any drug (other than nicotine)

- Currently trying to quit smoking

- Currently taking bupropion, desipramine, clonidine, buspirone, or doxepin

- History of liver disease

- History of heart attacks or chest pain

- Allergic to adhesives

- Pregnant or breastfeeding
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Providence, Rhode Island 02908
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69 Brown Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02912
(401) 863-1000
Brown University Located in historic Providence, Rhode Island and founded in 1764, Brown University is...
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