The Effect of Cycloserine on Smoking Behavior in Nicotine Dependent Smokers
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2008-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
A total of 20 subjects will participate in this four week, between groups, double-blind,
placebo controlled study. Subjects will participate in two experimental sessions separated by
approximately one week. Subjects will be randomized to receive either 50 mg cycloserine or
placebo combined with cue exposure. Several physiological and subjective outcome measures
(e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, galvanic skin response) will be obtained during the
sessions. Experimental sessions will last approximately 4.5 hours with follow-up sessions
lasting approximately thirty minutes. Our aims are:
1. To examine the effect of cycloserine vs. placebo on extinction of smoking cue reactivity
in overnight abstinent smokers. Reactivity to smoking cues will be captured with
self-report smoking urges and physiological measures (heart rate, blood pressure, and
skin conductance).
We hypothesize that cycloserine, relative to placebo, will facilitate extinction of
smoking cue reactivity.
2. To examine the effect of cycloserine vs. placebo when combined with two 4.5 hour
laboratory cue exposure training sessions, on smoking behavior in smokers. Smoking
behavior will be measured with self-report smoking and saliva cotinine levels.
3. To examine the effect of cycloserine vs. placebo on memory performance in nicotine
dependent smokers. Memory performance will be measured with verbal learning, recognition
and recall tasks.
4) To examine the safety and tolerability of cycloserine treatment in smokers. We hypothesize
that cycloserine will be well tolerated by smokers.