Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: Background: Effective treatments for neurocognitive deficiencies among schizophrenia patients remain an unmet need. The nicotinic partial-agonist varenicline, approved for smoking cessation, has been shown to enhance neurocognition in schizophrenia, but its effects in non-smokers are unknown. Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design assessing effects of 3 different varenicline doses (0, 1, and 2mg/day) in non-smokers with schizophrenia (n=15) and non-psychiatric controls (n=15) on neurocognitive performance. Primary outcome assessed working memory, while secondary outcomes assessed other neurocognitive domains. Results: Overall patients appeared to perform better on 1mg/day dose across visuospatial working-memory, verbal memory and executive function, while controls appeared to perform better on 2mg/day dose on these domains. Across time in the 2mg/day dose, patients demonstrated increased inattentiveness, whereas controls had greater executive function, attention, and decision-making performance. Varenicline was generally well-tolerated in both groups. Conclusions: Varenicline may treat neurocognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia patients in a non-linear dose-related fashion.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Karolina Kozak
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2563362274