Beta-Adrenergic Modulation of Drug Cue Reactivity: Neural and Behavioral Mechanisms
University of Oklahoma
Summary
This study is designed to investigate the effects of a beta-adrenergic antagonist (Propranolol; 40 mg IR) and nicotine patch (14 mg) administered alone and in combination on neurobiological and behavioral responses to smoking cues in ongoing cigarette smokers. This is a basic experimental study in humans and participants will not take these medications for an extended period or make a cessation attempt as part of their involvement in this research project.
Description
Cigarette use remains a serious public health problem in the United States and worldwide. Effective pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation exist, but these medications primarily target nicotine withdrawal and smoking reinforcement. The cues and contexts associated with smoking also play an important role in driving smoking behavior, but evidence is extremely mixed whether existing interventions can effectively attenuate smoking urges and behavior in response to these cues and contexts. In a previous pilot trial, the investigators demonstrated that propranolol suppressed smoking c…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Generally healthy 2. Age 21-60 3. Right-handed using a three-item scale 4. Daily smoker of ≥ 5 cigarettes/day delivering 0.5 mg nicotine (FTC) 5. Smoking regularly for ≥ 1 year, with stable smoking for the past 6 months 6. Afternoon expired Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration ≥ 6 ppm and/or morning urinary cotinine \>100 ng/ml 7. Must identity at least 4 different smoking locations used in a typical week 8. Able to read and understand English Exclusion Criteria: 1. Inability to attend all required sessions 2. Significant health problems that would preclude active parti…
Interventions
- DrugPropranolol
Propranolol Capsule; 40 mg IR
- DrugNicotine Patch
Nicotine Patch; 14 mg
- DrugPlacebo Propranolol
Placebo Capsule, no active ingredients
- DrugPlacebo Patch
Placebo Patch, no active ingredients
Location
- Hardesty Center for Clinical Research and NeuroscienceTulsa, Oklahoma