Effect of Varenicline on Cognitive Function in Cigarette Smokers With Schizophrenia
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2016-08-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Smokers with schizophrenia have more difficulties quitting smoking than smokers without a
mental disorder. Varenicline (Champix) is a new stop smoking medication with a unique
mechanism of action. It is a nicotine-like drug which is not addictive and not associated
with the health risks of tobacco smoking.
Varenicline (VAR) binds to sites in the brain called nicotine receptors that play an
important role in nicotine dependence. People with schizophrenia have difficulties in
concentrating and remembering. Scientists believe that people with schizophrenia use smoking
to remedy their cognitive problems. We will test VAR to see if it improves cognitive problems
in smokers with schizophrenia in comparison to non-mentally ill smokers to determine whether
people with schizophrenia get direct benefit from this nicotine-like drug. It is hypothesized
that VAR (in comparison to a placebo) will reduce aspects of cognitive impairment in smokers
and nonsmokers with schizophrenia.