Varenicline for Cognitive Deficits and Cigarette Smoking in Schizophrenia - Efficacy and Predictors

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2013-12-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

This is a 8-week double-blind placebo controlled parallel group study of the efficacy of varenicline (Chantix) for smoking cessation in schizophrenic patients, and its effect on cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia.At some sits evaluation of smoking measures is extended to 12 weeks. Correlations will be made with biological predictors of efficacy: a) measures of nicotinic receptors in lymphocytes b) DNMT1 and GAD67 mRNA in lymphocytes. Subjects will be current cigarette smokers or history of regular smokers.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
• Treatments: Varenicline

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Diagnosis of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder Current Cigarette Smoker or History of Chronic Cigarette smoking Age 18-65 Currently taking antipsychotic medication

Exclusion Criteria:

prior history of hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction or stroke, or persistent angina pectoris with current symptoms Patients who have previously tried varenicline and have stopped taking it because of side-effects of severe nausea or vomiting suicide attempt in the last year and or have had prominent or serious suicidal thoughts in the past year Women who are pregnant, nursing, or unable to use reliable contraception significant renal impairment(Creatinine ≥ 1.5) baseline Hamilton Depression Scores is >20