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Varenicline effects on craving, cue reactivity, and smoking reward.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Brandon, TH; Drobes, DJ; Unrod, M; Heckman, BW; Oliver, JA; Roetzheim, RC; Karver, SB; Small, BJ
Published in: Psychopharmacology (Berl)
November 2011

RATIONALE: Varenicline is an α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist that has been found to be effective for treating tobacco dependence. However, the subjective and behavioral mediators of its efficacy are not known. OBJECTIVES: Using multiple sessions of laboratory-based assessment, this double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment was designed to test if varenicline reduced both tonic and cue-provoked tobacco cravings, and if it attenuated perceived reward from smoking. METHODS: Participants in the present analysis include 100 smokers who were scheduled for three assessment sessions: at baseline, before receiving medication; at mid-run-in, 5-7 days after beginning medication; and after full dosage was reached, 12-15 days. Following overnight abstinence, each session included assessment of tonic craving, reactivity (including craving) to smoking cues, expected value of a cigarette, smoking behavior, and self-reported reward following smoking. RESULTS: Varenicline, compared to placebo, reduced tonic craving, cue-provoked craving by the final assessment, the expected value of cigarettes, number of puffs and time spent smoking, and self-reported reward (i.e., satisfaction) from smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Results showing that varenicline reduced tonic craving levels and perceived reward from smoking are consistent with reports from clinical trials, strengthening the evidence in support of these subjective mechanisms of action. This is the first placebo-controlled study to demonstrate that varenicline reduced cue-provoked cravings, thereby offering another potential mediator of its therapeutic effects. Findings may aid in the development of more targeted interventions for tobacco dependence.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Psychopharmacology (Berl)

DOI

EISSN

1432-2072

Publication Date

November 2011

Volume

218

Issue

2

Start / End Page

391 / 403

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Varenicline
  • Time Factors
  • Smoking
  • Reward
  • Quinoxalines
  • Psychiatry
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Brandon, T. H., Drobes, D. J., Unrod, M., Heckman, B. W., Oliver, J. A., Roetzheim, R. C., … Small, B. J. (2011). Varenicline effects on craving, cue reactivity, and smoking reward. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 218(2), 391–403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2327-z
Brandon, Thomas H., David J. Drobes, Marina Unrod, Bryan W. Heckman, Jason A. Oliver, Richard C. Roetzheim, Sloan Beth Karver, and Brent J. Small. “Varenicline effects on craving, cue reactivity, and smoking reward.Psychopharmacology (Berl) 218, no. 2 (November 2011): 391–403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2327-z.
Brandon TH, Drobes DJ, Unrod M, Heckman BW, Oliver JA, Roetzheim RC, et al. Varenicline effects on craving, cue reactivity, and smoking reward. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2011 Nov;218(2):391–403.
Brandon, Thomas H., et al. “Varenicline effects on craving, cue reactivity, and smoking reward.Psychopharmacology (Berl), vol. 218, no. 2, Nov. 2011, pp. 391–403. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s00213-011-2327-z.
Brandon TH, Drobes DJ, Unrod M, Heckman BW, Oliver JA, Roetzheim RC, Karver SB, Small BJ. Varenicline effects on craving, cue reactivity, and smoking reward. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2011 Nov;218(2):391–403.
Journal cover image

Published In

Psychopharmacology (Berl)

DOI

EISSN

1432-2072

Publication Date

November 2011

Volume

218

Issue

2

Start / End Page

391 / 403

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Varenicline
  • Time Factors
  • Smoking
  • Reward
  • Quinoxalines
  • Psychiatry
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans