Effect of Orexin System on Nicotine Addiction and Its Neural Mechanism

Launched by SHENZHEN KANGNING HOSPITAL · Jul 14, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how a brain system called the orexin system affects people who are addicted to nicotine, which is found in tobacco products. Researchers want to understand if levels of orexin in the blood are connected to behaviors related to nicotine addiction, such as cravings and withdrawal symptoms, as well as how this system works in the brain. Participants will be asked to complete some surveys, provide blood samples, and undergo brain imaging (fMRI) to see how their brains respond to nicotine and related cues over several days.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be regular smokers, smoking at least 10 cigarettes a day for at least two years, and be able to communicate effectively with the research team. Those with certain mental health conditions, significant physical illnesses, or who have recently used specific medications may not qualify. If you join the study, you’ll go through several assessments and follow-up calls to check on your cravings and smoking behavior over time. This research could help in understanding how to better support people trying to quit smoking.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Nicotine addicts who meet the DSM-V diagnostic criteria for substance dependence, that is, smoking ≥ 10 cigarettes per day and smoking age ≥ 2 years;
• • 2. Communicate normally with the researcher and cooperate with the researchers;
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Psychotic symptoms or a family history of mental disorders;
• • 2. A history of dependence or behavior (gambling, online games) addiction other than alcohol, drugs, etc.;
• • 3. Use benzodiazepines or received antipsychotic drugs within 2 weeks;
• • 4. Epilepsy, craniocerebral injury history, coma history, brain organic or serious physical disease;
• • 5. Body mass index (BMI) \> 30 ;
• • 6. Can not tolerate magnetic resonance examinations.