Comparison of Chippers and Addicted Smokers in Compensatory Behavior in Response to Nicotine Deprivation

The purpose of this study is to examine responses to nicotine and to the drug mecamylamine in chippers (occasional, non-dependent smokers) and in dependent smokers. Conventional nicotine patches will be used in the study.

We will recruit healthy males and non-pregnant females, ages 18 - 65 years, from the Raleigh and Winston-Salem community for this study.

If you agree to participate in this study you will first come in for a screening visit. You will be given a physical examination to be sure you will not be put at any risk by being in this study. We will monitor your heart rate and blood pressure. We will draw a sample of about 2 tablespoons (30ml) of blood from a vein in your arm and we will collect a urine sample. You will also smoke one cigarette through a smoking device. This visit will last approximately 2 hours.

This study requires a total of 5 visits (1 physical screening and 4 laboratory visits). Subjects will be asked to not smoke for 12 hours prior to each laboratory session. During each lab visit we will collect one saliva sample and multiple small blood samples, take carbon monoxide readings, and participants will fill out multiple questionnaires. Subjects will apply a skin patch (Nicoderm 21 mg/24 h or placebo) and subjects will swallow one capsule containing mecamylamine or placebo. Subjects will also smoke through a device which mixes together smoke from two cigarettes and have a 1 hour period of ad-lib smoking. Each lab visit will last up to 6 hours.

There is no cost to you to participate in this study. Any costs, including study procedures and supplies, will be paid for by the study.

If you complete all 5 study visits, you will be compensated up to $300 and $100 in gas gift cards. You will receive a $25 gas gift card after each completed laboratory visit. You will not be compensated for the physical screening.

For further information or to participate in this study, please call 888-525-DUKE, or e-mail smoking@duke.edu

1782