Pilot Research Projects
Current Pilot Research Projects
Effects of Atomoxetine on Nicotine Withdrawal & Sensory Gaiting
The goal of this study is to examine the effects of atomoxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, on prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (PPI), a measure of sensory gaiting, and on nicotine withdrawal-associated deficits in PPI in mice. This information will complement the TTURC atomoxetine study in humans, which will test effects of atomoxetine on nicotine abstinence-induced deficits in attention and other cognitive processes. Atomoxetine may reduce nicotine withdrawal-associated deficits in attentional processes, making it an effective treatment for smoking cessation.
Principal Investigator: Tom Gould, Ph.D. Click HERE for publications related to this study
Dopaminergic and Nicotinic Contributions to Bupropion-induced Alterations in Sensory and Motor Gating in Mice
This project seeks to assist in the development of pharmaceutical treatments designed to help people with schizophrenia stop smoking without increasing the risk for adverse side effects, including psychosis. The effects of the anti-depressant drug bupropion on dopamine transmission and sensory gating (the ability to adapt to persistent stimuli in the environment) will be examined.
Principal Investigator: Steven J. Siegel, M.D., Ph.D. Click HERE for publications related to this study
Smoking Topography and Smoke Exposure
These studies investigate the relationship between how people puff on cigarettes and their exposure to smoke and carcinogenic compounds. The first study investigates what aspects of smoking topography, such as puff volume, duration, and intensity, predict amount of smoke exposure. The second study investigates the reliability of the carbon monoxide breath test, a measure commonly used to assess amount of smoke exposure. The third study investigates the effect of filter vent blocking on smoke exposure.
Principal Investigator: Andrew Strasser, Ph.D. Click HERE for publications related to this study
Neural Substrates of Food Reward in Deprived Smokers
The goal of this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study is to identify the neural substrates of food reward processes in smokers during two states: (1) nicotine deprivation and (2) nondeprivation. The long-term objective is to understand the bio-behavioral basis of changes in food reward that lead to increased intake and weight gain in abstaining smokers, and to develop pharmacotherapies to address this important public health problem.
Principal Investigators: Myles Faith, Ph.D., Caryn Lerman, Ph.D., John Detre, Ph.D.
Neural and Genetic Substrates of Nicotine Deprivation Effects on Cognitive Performance: A Functional Neuroimaging Investigation
The goal of this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study is to understand the neural and genetic basis of cognitive deficits that smokers experience following a quit attempt. The specific aims are: (1) To examine patterns of neural activation associated with cognitive performance deficits during nicotine deprivation (vs. a non-deprived state), and (2) To explore the moderating influence of inherited variation in the catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene on cognitive performance and neural activation. This information may lead to the development of novel medications to reduce nicotine deprivation symptoms and promote smoking cessation.
Principal Investigator: Caryn Lerman, Ph.D.
Genetics and Nicotine Sensitivity: NRT Effect on Smoking Reinforcement by Genotype
This pilot project focuses on identifying genetic, personality, and other characteristics of smokers who exhibit greater subjective and behavioral responses to two different forms of nicotine replacement therapy: the “patch” and the nasal spray. Due to the vastly different speed of nicotine delivery in these forms of medication, the different effects of these products on neurochemical responses may help explain why some smokers are better able than others to quit with one product or the other.
Principal Investigator: Kenneth A. Perkins, Ph.D.
Related Publications
Effects of Atomoxetine on Nicotine Withdrawal and Sensory Gating
Gould, T. J., Rukstalis, M., & Lewis, M. C. (2005). Atomoxetine and nicotine enhance prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle in C57BL/6 mice. Neurosci Lett, 377(2), 85-90.
Davis, J. A., & Gould, T. J. (2005). Atomoxetine reverses nicotine withdrawal-induced impairments in contextual fear conditioning. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 651(11).
Dopaminergic and Nicotinic Contributions to Bupropion-induced Alterations in Sensory and Motor Gating in Mice: Related Publications
Siegel, S. J., Maxwell, C. R., Majumdar, S., Trief, D. F., Lerman, C., Gur, R. E., Kanes, S. J., & Liang, Y. (2005). Monoamine reuptake inhibition and nicotine receptor antagonism reduce amplitude and gating of auditory evoked potentials. Neuroscience, 133(3), 729-738.
Metzger, K. L., Maxwell, C. R., Liang, Y., & Siegel, S. J. (In Press). Effects of nicotine vary across two auditory evoked potentials in the mouse. Biol Psychiatry.
Smoking Topography and Smoke Exposure: Related Publications
Strasser, A. A., Ashare, R. L., Kozlowski, L. T., & Pickworth, W. B. (2005). The effect of filter vent blocking and smoking topography on carbon monoxide levels in smokers. Pharmacol Biochem Behav, 82(2), 320-329.
Strasser, A. A., Pickworth, W. B., Patterson, F., & Lerman, C. (2004). Smoking topography predicts abstinence following treatment with nicotine replacement therapy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 13(11 Pt 1), 1800-1804.
Strasser, A. A., Lerman, C., Sanborn, P. M., Pickworth, W. B., & Feldman, E. A. (In Press). New lower nicotine cigarettes can produce compensatory smoking and increased carbon monoxide exposure. Drug and Alcohol Depend.