The Effects of Memantine and Bupropion on Acute, Reinforcing, and Conditioned Effects of Cigarettes - 1

Tobacco Use Disorder Clinical Trial

Official title:

Developing Medication For Tobacco Addiction: NMDA Agents

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00136747
• Other study ID #: #4725(1)
• Secondary ID: R01DA017572R01DA
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1
• Start date: January 2004
• Est. completion date: May 2009

Study information

• Verified date: May 2018
• Source: New York State Psychiatric Institute
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

One of nicotine's effects on the body is at the level of the NMDA receptors in the brain. Memantine is a drug that also affects NMDA receptors, making it a candidate for the treatment of nicotine addiction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of memantine using a laboratory model of tobacco addiction. The investigators will compare the effects of memantine with bupropion, medication currently used to facilitate smoking cessation.

Description:

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Recent research on the effects of nicotine on the brain and behavior presents an opportunity to advance medication development. Neurotransmission at NMDA receptors in the brain is associated with learning and memory and has been linked to many of nicotine's effects on humans. It is possible that altering NMDA neurotransmission may be helpful in treating nicotine addiction.

The goal of this study is to develop a laboratory model for early-stage testing of new and existing compounds for the treatment of tobacco and nicotine addiction. Specifically, the study will assess the effect of memantine, a non-competitive NMDA antagonist, versus bupropion, a medication currently used to facilitate smoking cessation, on various behavioral aspects related to smoking behavior, including reinforcement and cue-reactivity.

This double-blind, randomized assignment study will consist of three distinct phases (placebo, bupropion, and memantine). Each phase will include 10 days of outpatient medication maintenance, followed by 3 days of inpatient testing. During the outpatient phase, study visits will occur every 2 to 3 days. At these visits, compliance and side effects of medication will be monitored, smoking diaries will be collected, and medication will be dispensed. During the inpatient period participants will be allowed to smoke only at designated times. A variety of assessment will be conducted, including abstinence symptoms, acute effects of cigarettes, responses to cigarette cues, and cigarette self-administration.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 45
• Est. completion date: May 2009
• Est. primary completion date: May 2009
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 21 Years to 45 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• DSM-IV diagnosis of nicotine dependence with psychological dependence

• Smokes at least 15 cigarettes per day for the three months prior to enrollment

• Currently not seeking treatment for nicotine dependence

• Medically healthy on the basis of physical examination and medical history, vital signs, EKG, and laboratory tests

• Females must use an effective method of contraception for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• DSM-IV diagnosis of abuse or dependence on alcohol or drugs other than nicotine

• Current Axis I diagnosis or current treatment with psychotropic medications within the three months prior to enrollment

• History of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorders

• Currently seeking treatment for nicotine disorders

• On parole or probation

• History of seizures or head trauma with loss of consciousness, brain contusion, or fracture

• History of significant recent violent behavior

• Blood pressure greater than 150/90

• History of eating disorders

• History of allergic reaction to any of the study medications

• Pregnant

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Tobacco Use Disorder

Intervention

Drug:
• Memantine
Two capsules of Memantine twice daily for 12 days.
• bupropion

• placebo

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	New York State Psychiatric Institute	New York	New York

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
New York State Psychiatric Institute	National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Response to cigarette cues		Days 11-13
Primary	Smoking behavior		Days 11-13