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A preliminary investigation into the effects of doxazosin on cognitive functioning in tobacco‐deprived and ‐satiated smokers
Author(s) -
Roberts Walter,
Verplaetse Terril L.,
Moore Kelly E.,
Oberleitner Lindsay M.,
McKee Sherry A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.2660
Subject(s) - doxazosin , placebo , cognition , medicine , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , psychology , anesthesia , psychiatry , alternative medicine , pathology , blood pressure
Objective To test the effects of doxazosin, an α1 antagonist, on cognitive functioning during tobacco withdrawal in smokers. Methods Participants ( n = 35) were randomly assigned to receive placebo, 4‐mg/day, or 8‐mg/day doxazosin. They completed a continuous performance task and self‐reported their withdrawal symptoms at baseline and twice following a medication titration period: once in a tobacco‐deprived state and again in a nondeprived state. Ability to resist smoking was assessed using a laboratory smoking‐lapse paradigm. Results Participants showed poorer cognitive performance on most measures taken from the continuous performance task when tobacco deprived. Eight‐mg/day doxazosin improved inhibitory control during the nondeprivation session but did not affect sustained attention or reaction time. Participants receiving doxazosin reported fewer withdrawal symptoms during deprivation than those on placebo. Those showing the greatest improvement of inhibitory control under doxazosin were better able to resist smoking (i.e., latency to smoke) during a smoking lapse task. Self‐reported withdrawal symptoms also were negatively associated with time to smoking. Conclusions Doxazosin reduced symptoms of tobacco withdrawal according to self‐report and cognitive assessment and improved inhibitory control above predrug levels. This research identifies potential mechanisms by which doxazosin might improve smoking outcomes.