Nicotine and Cotinine Levels in Smokers With Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizophrenic individuals have higher urinary cotinine levels compared to non-schizophrenic individuals with a similar smoking history. This suggests that schizophrenic individuals may absorb higher doses of nicotine. The purpose of this study is to determine whether smokers with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder have higher serum nicotine and cotinine levels in comparison to smokers without schizophrenic-related disorders.

This observational, case-control study will enroll 150 participants, of which 100 will be smokers with schizophrenic-related disorders and 50 will be smokers without a mental illness. Upon completing baseline assessments, participants will smoke a single cigarette. Approximately two minutes following, 3 to 4 ounces of blood will be analyzed for nicotine and cotinine levels. An expired carbon monoxide reading will also be measured. This measurement correlates with the amount of smoke inhalation. Individual participant studies will be completed in 1 to 2 hour-long sessions.