Trial Outcomes & Findings for Effects of Varenicline on Brain Activity During Nicotine Abstinence (NCT NCT00602927)

NCT ID: NCT00602927

Last Updated: 2011-05-10

Results Overview

We calculated the percent BOLD signal change while performing the N-back task between the varenicline vs. placebo session. We subtracted BOLD signal observed during the 0-back condition from the BOLD signal observed during the 3-back condition (3back minus 0-back)We controlled for relevant co-variates such as sex, nicotine dependence level and education.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

38 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Day 13

Results posted on

2011-05-10

Participant Flow

Participants were recruited from mass media advertising in the greater Philadelphia area from November 2007 - June 2008.

All participants completed a 14 day wash-out period between the two study phases. They were instructed to resume their usual smoking behavior in this wash-out phase.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Placebo First, Then Varenicline
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
Varenicline First, Then Placebo
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
Period 1: 13 Days
STARTED
19
19
Period 1: 13 Days
COMPLETED
15
14
Period 1: 13 Days
NOT COMPLETED
4
5
Period 2: 14 Days
STARTED
15
14
Period 2: 14 Days
COMPLETED
15
12
Period 2: 14 Days
NOT COMPLETED
0
2
Period 3: 13 Days
STARTED
15
12
Period 3: 13 Days
COMPLETED
13
9
Period 3: 13 Days
NOT COMPLETED
2
3

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Placebo First, Then Varenicline
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
Varenicline First, Then Placebo
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
Period 1: 13 Days
Protocol Violation
2
4
Period 1: 13 Days
MRI scanner technical issue
1
0
Period 1: 13 Days
Time
1
0
Period 1: 13 Days
Claustrophobia
0
1
Period 2: 14 Days
Protocol Violation
0
2
Period 3: 13 Days
Protocol Violation
0
1
Period 3: 13 Days
MRI data quality
2
2

Baseline Characteristics

Effects of Varenicline on Brain Activity During Nicotine Abstinence

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Placebo First, Then Varenicline
n=19 Participants
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
Varenicline First, Then Placebo
n=19 Participants
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
Total
n=38 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
19 Participants
n=5 Participants
19 Participants
n=7 Participants
38 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age Continuous
41.05 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.32 • n=5 Participants
39.79 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.68 • n=7 Participants
40.42 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.84 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
9 Participants
n=5 Participants
10 Participants
n=7 Participants
19 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
10 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=7 Participants
19 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
19 participants
n=5 Participants
19 participants
n=7 Participants
38 participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Day 13

Population: Participants who completed both study phases were included in the analyses (n=25). Additional participants (n=3) were excluded due to measurement artifact.

We calculated the percent BOLD signal change while performing the N-back task between the varenicline vs. placebo session. We subtracted BOLD signal observed during the 0-back condition from the BOLD signal observed during the 3-back condition (3back minus 0-back)We controlled for relevant co-variates such as sex, nicotine dependence level and education.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=22 Participants
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
Varenicline
n=22 Participants
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
Percent Change BOLD Signal
0.48 BOLD Signal Change (3-back minus 0-back)
Standard Error 0.05
0.61 BOLD Signal Change (3-back minus 0-back)
Standard Error 0.03

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Day 13

Population: Participants who completed both study phases were included in the analysis. Other participants (n=3) were excluded due to measurement artifact.

We examined the difference in correct reaction time on the N-back task between varenicline and placebo treatment. Models included terms for the main effect of treatment period (varenicline vs. placebo), memory load (0-back, 1-back, 2-back, 3-back) and covariates. We tested for interactions between nicotine dependence severity and treatment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=22 Participants
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
Varenicline
n=22 Participants
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
Effect of Varenicline Treatment on Task Performance (N-back Correct Response Time)
692.14 Milliseconds
Standard Deviation 128.57
637.99 Milliseconds
Standard Deviation 164.30

Adverse Events

Placebo First, Then Varenicline

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Varenicline First, Then Placebo

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 1 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Placebo First, Then Varenicline
n=19 participants at risk
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
Varenicline First, Then Placebo
n=19 participants at risk
Days 1 - 3: 0.5 mg once a day orally Days 4 - 7: 0.5 mg twice a day orally Days 8 - 13: 1 mg twice a day orally
General disorders
Severe Lethargy
0.00%
0/19 • Day 13
5.3%
1/19 • Number of events 1 • Day 13

Additional Information

Dr. Caryn Lerman

University of Pennsylvania

Phone: 215-746-7141

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place