Varenicline and Smoking Cessation in Schizophrenia

University Of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Schizophrenia is a major debilitating brain disorder that affects 1% of the world's population. There is a 90% prevalence rate of comorbid nicotine addiction in schizophrenic patients leading to high morbidity and mortality rate in this vulnerable population. The smoking cessation agent bupropion HCl has been tested in schizophrenics, but the results on its efficacy are inconclusive. Recent works by different laboratories have shown the safety and efficacy of varenicline, a partial 1422 and full 17 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, as a smoking cessation agent. However, to date, no published studies have tested the safety and efficacy of varenicline in treatment of nicotine dependence in schizophrenic patients. As varenicline appears to be a promising treatment in non-psychiatric patients, it would be beneficial to examine its effects in schizophrenic patients. The central hypothesis of this application is that treatment with varenicline will safely increase smoking abstinence rates in schizophrenic patients when compared to those receiving placebo. This central hypothesis will be tested and the objectives of this application accomplished by pursuing two Specific Aims: 1) Treatment with varenicline or bupropion HCl for a period of three months will increase smoking abstinence rates in schizophrenic patents when compared to placebo;and 2) Treatment with varenicline or bupropion HCl for a period of three months will not increase psychosis in schizophrenic patients when compared to placebo. We will employ a double-blind randomized placebo controlled study to assess varenicline's safety and efficacy. It is our expectation that we will demonstrate that varenicline is safe and effective in decreasing smoking rates in schizophrenic patients without exacerbating psychotic symptoms. Such outcomes will be significant, because they will offer a new treatment for smoking cessation in this vulnerable population. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Schizophrenia is a major debilitating brain disorder that affects 1% of the world's population with a 90% prevalence rate of comorbid nicotine addiction in schizophrenic patients, leading to high morbidity and mortality rate in this vulnerable population. As varenicline appears to be a promising treatment in non-psychiatric patients, it would be beneficial to examine its effects in schizophrenic patients. The central hypothesis of this application is that treatment with varenicline will safely increase smoking abstinence rates in schizophrenic patients when compared to those receiving placebo. It is our expectation that we will demonstrate that varenicline is safe and effective in decreasing smoking rates in schizophrenic patients without exacerbating psychotic symptoms. Such outcomes will be significant, because they will offer a new treatment for smoking cessation in this vulnerable population.