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The effects of varenicline on attention and inhibitory control among treatment-seeking smokers

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Abstract

Rationale

Varenicline represents a new class of smoking cessation aids that has different mechanisms of action that are unique from bupropion or nicotine replacement therapies. An improved understanding of these mechanisms may lead to greater treatment success in quitting smoking.

Objectives

We examined the effects of steady-state varenicline on attention and inhibitory control among adult treatment-seeking smokers.

Methods

Adult smokers enrolled in a randomized clinical trial received either 4 weeks of pre-quit varenicline (n = 31) or 3 weeks of placebo (n = 26) followed by 1 week of standard varenicline treatment. Participants in the present work completed cognitive assessments at a baseline session (prior to treatment) and again 3 weeks later (during active treatment). At both sessions, participants completed the stop signal task to assess both lapses in attention and inhibitory control.

Results

Analyses indicated that varenicline improved lapses in attention compared to placebo. There were no significant differences observed between groups at either session for inhibitory control.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that varenicline improves lapses in attention among treatment-seeking smokers preparing to make a quit attempt. These findings suggest that the domain of attention may be a good candidate for larger studies of the role of improved cognition in understanding the mechanisms of varenicline treatment for smoking cessation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Stephen Tiffany and Jerry Richards for the support and feedback at multiple stages of the project, Shaun Fickling Lohnes, Timothy LaVigne, Michael Connoly, Jenna Dellaccio, and Joe Gillotti for the data collection, and Mark Kugtgowski for the computer programming. This research was funded in part by a 2008 Global Research Award for Nicotine Dependence (GRAND) award, an independent investigator-initiated research program, sponsored by Pfizer, Inc., to MCM.

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Author notes

  1. Rebecca L. Ashare

    Present address: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, 230 Park Hall, Box 604110, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA

    Jessica D. Rhodes, Larry W. Hawk Jr., Rebecca L. Ashare & Nicolas J. Schlienz

  2. Center for Children and Families, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA

    Larry W. Hawk Jr.

  3. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA

    Martin C. Mahoney

  4. Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA

    Larry W. Hawk Jr. & Martin C. Mahoney

  5. Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA

    Martin C. Mahoney

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  1. Jessica D. Rhodes
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  2. Larry W. Hawk Jr.
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Correspondence to Larry W. Hawk Jr..

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Rhodes, J.D., Hawk, L.W., Ashare, R.L. et al. The effects of varenicline on attention and inhibitory control among treatment-seeking smokers. Psychopharmacology 223, 131–138 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-012-2700-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-012-2700-6

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