Galantamine Effects on Nicotine Responses in Smokers

In this double-blind, crossover study, the investigators are proposing to evaluate galantamine's effects on the subjective nicotine effects and the severity of tobacco withdrawal symptoms. Twenty four male and female smokers will first have two 4-day treatment periods, in which subjects will be randomized to galantamine (8 mg/day) or placebo. These treatment periods will be separated by a 3 to 14 day washout period. This range of washout period, while minimizing carryover medication effects between treatments, will provide flexibility for subjects to comply with study procedures. During study participation, subjects will be instructed to continue to smoke as usual during the study except the 2.5 days of smoking abstinence before each test session. Starting at 10 p.m. on Day 1 of each treatment period, subjects will refrain from smoking for approximately 2.5 days, until the test session on Day 4. Subjects will have twice daily outpatient visits during the first 3 days and a test session on day 4. During the outpatient visits, study medication will be administered and tobacco withdrawal symptoms and compliance with smoking abstinence will be monitored. On Day 4 of each treatment phase subjects will have a test session, where they will receive saline or 1.0 mg/70 kg of nicotine intravenously in a random, double-blind manner. The sequence of nicotine treatments will be counterbalanced among subjects such that equal number of subjects will receive saline first or nicotine first. Following each saline and nicotine administration, physiological, subjective and cognitive measurements will be obtained.

Currently 12 subjects completed this protocol. This study is in data analysis. (April 2011)