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Effects of galantamine on smoking behavior and cognitive performance in treatment‐seeking smokers prior to a quit attempt
Author(s) -
MacLean Robert Ross,
Waters Andrew J.,
Brede Emily,
Sofuoglu Mehmet
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.2665
Subject(s) - galantamine , placebo , nicotine , randomized controlled trial , smoking cessation , cognition , psychiatry , addiction , psychology , medicine , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , clinical psychology , donepezil , disease , alternative medicine , pathology , dementia
Objective Drugs that enhance cholinergic transmission have demonstrated promise treating addictive disorders. Galantamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, may reduce cigarette smoking in otherwise healthy treatment‐seeking smokers. Methods The current study is a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, study that randomized daily smokers ( n = 60) to receive one of two doses of galantamine extended release (8 or 16 mg/day), or a placebo treatment. Participants completed a smoking choice task as well as study measures and cognitive tasks in the laboratory and daily life using ecological momentary assessment. Analysis focused on smoking behavior and satisfaction, cognitive performance, and decision to smoke prior to a quit attempt. Results Linear mixed models demonstrated that, compared with placebo, both doses of galantamine reduced smoking in a laboratory choice task ( p = 0.006) and decreased urine cotinine levels, but not self‐reported cigarettes, during the pre‐quit period ( p = 0.007). Treatment had minimal effect on smoking satisfaction or cognitive performance. Conclusions The results suggest that galantamine reduces nicotine intake but it is unlikely that galantamine improves cognitive performance in otherwise healthy, treatment‐seeking smokers. Larger randomized clinical trials can determine if galantamine adjunctive to addiction treatment can improve smoking treatment outcomes.