Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Varenicline Treatment in Alcohol and Nicotine Dependent Patients With Schizophrenia - a Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial
Brief Summary: The aim of the proposed pilot study is to find out whether varenicline (ChantixTM) treatment decreases alcohol use and smoking in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Varenicline may also improve cognition (memory and concentration) and negative symptoms (e.g. poor attention, poverty of speech, apathy, affective flattening, anhedonia) in patients with schizophrenia and comorbid nicotine and alcohol dependence.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Males or females, ages 18 to 69, with a DSM-IV diagnosis of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder, receiving outpatient psychiatric treatment
* Currently taking antipsychotic medication for at least 4 weeks (medication is prescribed, compliance assessed based on self-report and collateral information)
* Current DSM-IV diagnosis of Nicotine Dependence
* Current DSM-IV diagnosis of Alcohol Dependence
* Subject expresses a desire to cut down or quit smoking and drinking (based on assessment with contemplation ladder)
* An average of at least one pack of cigarettes per day (\>=20 cigarettes/day) over the 7 days prior to intake
* An average of at least 7 drinks over the 7 days prior to intake

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to give adequate informed consent
* Currently taking sustained - release bupropion (Zyban) or receiving any other form of bupropion, such as Wellbutrin or Wellbutrin SR; receiving another form of pharmacological smoking cessation treatment (e.g., nicotine gum or patch); or participating in another structured, formal smoking cessation program.
* Currently taking naltrexone (ReVia), Campral or Antabuse
* Participation in a clinical trial less than 3 months prior to intake
* History of suicide attempt in the past year
* History of hospitalization due to suicidal ideation in the past year
* Suicidal ideation at baseline
* Known allergic reaction to varenicline
* Female patients of childbearing potential who are sexually active, not sterile, and who deny using a form of birth control.
* Female patients who are pregnant or nursing.
* Significant unstable medical problems (e.g. impaired renal function).
* Significant unstable psychiatric disorders.
* Subjects who do not attend all required screening appointments.
* Subjects who have pending legal proceedings whose outcome may lead to incarceration within 3 months of intake.
* Positive urine drug screen for cocaine, opioids or amphetamine at baseline
* Current DSM-IV diagnosis of Cocaine, Opioid or Cannabis Dependence (1 month prior to enrollment)
* Metal implants or devices (e.g. aneurysm clips, cochlear implants, neural stimulators, cardiac pacemakers)
* Weight over 250 lbs
* Claustrophobia
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) derived DSM-IV diagnoses of Bipolar Disorder (Type I or II), and Nicotine Dependence
* Young Mania Rating Scale Total Score \<12 at study entry
* HAM-D 17-Item Score \>5 and \<24 at study entry
* Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) score of 5 or higher
* Be able to provide informed consent to participate in this study as judged by clinical evaluation, and scoring at least 80% on a post-consent "test"
* Smoking at least 10 cigarettes per day (confirmed by an expired breath CO level \>10 ppm and a plasma cotinine level \>150 ng/ml at baseline)
* Be motivated to quit smoking within 30 days of initial evaluation, as assessed by a score of 7 or higher on the Contemplation Ladder assessment tool
* On a stable dose of a mood stabilizer for at least 1 month (e.g. lithium, valproate, carbamazepine, atypical antipsychotic)
* Judged by the study psychiatrists and/or trained psychiatric clinicians to be in remission from active manic, hypomanic, major depressive and psychotic symptoms based on a clinical interview and SCID-IV ≥1 month prior to study enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

* Meet criteria for current abuse or dependence for any other alcohol or illicit substance within the past 3 months of study enrollment
* Current evidence by SCID-IV and clinical evaluation of suicidality, homicidality or psychosis
* Meet DSM-IV criteria for current major depression at the time of baseline evaluation
* A history of hypersensitivity or other known adverse reactions (e.g. hyperstimulation, severe agitation) to varenicline.
* Serious medical conditions (i.e. a history of severe cardiac, renal or hepatic disease, diabetes mellitus or thyroid abnormalities)
* EKG abnormalities
* Prescription of Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) including patches, gum, lozenges or inhalers
* Prescription of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-I's) including selegiline or moclobemide
* Prescription of varenicline
* Prescription of bupropion SR
* The presence of manic, mixed manic or hypomanic symptoms in the past one month prior to study enrollment.
* A lifetime history of antidepressant-induced mania or hypomania
* A history of suicidal ideation while taking antidepressants
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects must have smoked an average of at least 15 cigarettes per day during the past year and over the month prior to the screening visit, with no period of abstinence greater than 3 months in the past year.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects with clinically significant cardiovascular disease in the past 6 months.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects will be eligible to participate if they:

1. Are at least 18 years of age
2. Have used ST daily for the past 12 months (regular user)
3. Identify ST as their primary tobacco product
4. Are in general good health (determined by medical history and screening physical examination)
5. Has provided written informed consent to participate
6. Are able to participate in all aspects of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

Individuals will be excluded from study participation if they:

1. Are currently (in previous 30 days) using other behavioral or pharmacologic tobacco cessation programs (i.e., behavioral therapy, nicotine replacement therapy, clonidine, bupropion SR, or doxepin)
2. Have self-reported current, untreated depression or a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) Score of ≥ 20
3. Have, as defined by the C-SSRS (Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale);current non-specific suicidal thoughts, or have a lifetime history of a suicidal attempt (defined as "potentially self-injurious act committed with at least some wish to die, as a result of act.")
4. History of psychosis or bipolar disorder
5. Are currently pregnant or lactating or is of childbearing potential and not willing to use any form of contraception
6. Have another member of their household already participating in this study
7. Are allergic to varenicline
8. Describe having a medical history of:

   * Unstable angina
   * Myocardial infarction within the past 3 months
   * Cardiac dysrhythmia other than medication-controlled atrial fibrillation or PSVT
   * Medically-treated or untreated hypertension with BP ≥ 200 systolic OR ≥ 100 diastolic
   * Have other medical or psychiatric conditions that would exclude the participant

Answer: A