The development and validation of a human screening model of tobacco abstinence

Meryem Grabski, H. Valerie Curran, David J. Nutt, Stephen M. Husbands, Stuart G. Ferguson, Marcus R. Munafò

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Introduction: Given the low efficacy of smoking cessation methods, an experimental medicine model indicating smoking abstinence would be of great benefit to the development of new treatments. Hence the sensitivity of cognitive tasks and ambulatory craving measures to smoking abstinence were investigated. Methods: Cognitive tasks and ambulatory ratings of craving were assessed for sensitivity to acute abstinence (experiment 1), and nicotine replacement therapy administration (NRT) (experiment 2). Results: In experiment 1 go/no-go performance was improved (Mean Difference [MD] -0.99, 95% CI: −1.90 to −0.08) and craving was lower (Regression Coefficient [RC] −33.39, 95% CI: -39.96 to -26.82) in satiated compared with abstinent smokers. There was no clear evidence that N-back (MD 0.64, 95% CI: −0.42 to 2.51), delay discounting (MD 0.01, 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.005) or dot probe performance (MD 0.61, 95% CI: −0.87 to 1.54) were sensitive to acute abstinence. In experiment 2 go/no-go performance was improved (MD 1.12, 95% CI: 0.16–2.08) and craving was lower (RC −18.59, 95% CI: −24.63 to −12.55) smokers abstinent overnight receiving NRT compared with placebo. There was no clear evidence that N-back (MD −0.25, 95% CI: −1.45 to 0.94), delay discounting (MD 0.01, 95% CI: -0.002 to 0.004) or dot probe performance (MD −0.49, 95% CI: −1.61 to −0.64) were sensitive to NRT. Conclusions: Findings from two experiments converge to suggest that abstinence in smokers reliably increases ambulatory craving assessments and, to a lesser extent, decreases go/no-go task performance. These findings can be utilized in the development of an experimental medicine model to test novel treatments for smoking cessation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number107720
JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume206
Early online date6 Nov 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2020

Funding

This work was supported in part by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the University of Bristol ( MC_UU_00011/7 ), as well as a PhD studentship funded by the ESRC and Rusan Pharma Ltd. to M.G. Rusan Pharma Ltd. also provided the nicotine replacement products and matching placebo products. D.J.N. has received research funding fromP1Vital, as well as share options. He has acted on the advisory boards of the following pharmaceutical companies: Lundbeck, Servier, Pfizer, Reckitt Benkiser, D&A Pharma, Novartis, MSD, Nalpharm and Actelion, and received additional speaking honoraria from:Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Schering-Plough,Lilly and Janssen. He has acted as an adviser to the British National Formulary, the Department of Health, the Medical Research Council and the Swedish Government, for the latter specifically on drug, alcohol and tobacco research. He is a member of the Lundbeck International Neuroscience Foundation and the International Centre for Science in Drug Policy. He is furthermore the director of Equasy Enterprises Ltd and Chaperon Ltd. S.M.H. receives funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH). S.G.F has worked as a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare and Chrono Therapeutics on matters relating to smoking cessation, has received travel funding from Pfizer, and serves on an advisory board for Johnson & Johnson. This work was supported in part by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the University of Bristol (MC_UU_00011/7), as well as a PhD studentship funded by the ESRC and Rusan Pharma Ltd. to M.G. M.R.M. is a member of the UK Center for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies, a UKCRC Public Health Research Centre of Excellence. Funding from British Heart Foundation , Cancer Research UK , Economic and Social Research Council , and the National Institute for Health Research , under the auspices of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, is gratefully acknowledged.

Keywords

  • Cognitive performance
  • Ecological momentary assessment
  • Experimental medicine model
  • Smoking cessation
  • Tobacco abstinence
  • Tobacco withdrawal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pharmacology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The development and validation of a human screening model of tobacco abstinence'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this