Beta-Adrenergic Modulation of Drug Cue Reactivity

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Trial end date: 2025-11-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

This study is designed to investigate the effects of a beta-adrenergic antagonist (Propranolol; 40 mg IR) and nicotine patch (14 mg) administered alone and in combination on neurobiological and behavioral responses to smoking cues in ongoing cigarette smokers. This is a basic experimental study in humans and participants will not take these medications for an extended period or make a cessation attempt as part of their involvement in this research project.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Oklahoma
• Collaborators: Duke University; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA); National Institutes of Health (NIH); Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
• Treatments: Nicotine; Propranolol

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Generally healthy

2. Age 21-60

3. Right-handed using a three-item scale

4. Daily smoker of ≥ 5 cigarettes/day delivering 0.5 mg nicotine (FTC)

5. Smoking regularly for ≥ 1 year, with stable smoking for the past 6 months

6. Afternoon expired Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration ≥ 6 ppm and/or morning urinary cotinine >100 ng/ml

7. Must identity at least 4 different smoking locations used in a typical week

8. Able to read and understand English

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inability to attend all required sessions

2. Significant health problems that would preclude active participation

3. Presence of conditions that would make MRI unsafe (e.g. pacemaker) or (e.g. weight and body shape)

4. Current use of psychoactive medications/drugs as indicated by self-report or urine screen

5. Positive breath alcohol concentration

6. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the course of the study (females)

7. Problems with vision that cannot be corrected with contacts or glasses

8. Current regular use of smokeless tobacco, smoking cessation medications, or other nicotine containing products (e.g. electronic cigarettes)

9. Current use of beta-adrenergic medications (e.g. beta-blockers) or other blood pressure medications

10. Systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure < 60 mmHg (sitting or standing)

11. Abnormal EKG

12. Presence of severe anemia

13. Presence of electrolyte imbalance that could impact blood pressure

14. Presence of any other contraindications for propranolol or nicotine patch (e.g. cardiovascular disease, bronchial asthma, prior allergic reactions, diabetes)