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:

* 18-65 years old;
* smoked an average of at least 10 cigarettes per day for three cumulative years;
* have an expired air CO reading assessed at screening of at least 10ppm;
* express a desire to quit smoking within the next 30 days.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hypertension (systolic \>140 mm Hg, diastolic \>100 mm Hg, coupled with a history of hypertension); subjects with no previous diagnosis of hypertension may have a screening blood pressure up to 160/100.
* Hypotension with symptoms (systolic \<90 mm Hg, diastolic \<60 mm Hg).
* Coronary heart disease;
* Lifetime history of heart attack;
* Cardiac rhythm disorder (irregular heart rhythm);
* Chest pains (unless history, exam, and ECG clearly indicate a non-cardiac source);
* Cardiac (heart) disorder (including but not limited to valvular heart disease, heart murmur, heart failure);
* History of skin allergy;
* Active skin disorder (e.g., psoriasis) within the last five years, except minor skin conditions (including but not limited to facial acne, minor localized infections, and superficial minor wounds);
* Liver or kidney disorder (except kidney stones, gallstones);
* Gastrointestinal problems or disease other than gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn;
* Active ulcers in the past 30 days;
* Currently symptomatic lung disorder/disease (including but not limited to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and asthma);
* Brain abnormality (including but not limited to stroke, brain tumor, and seizure disorder);
* Migraine headaches that occur more frequently than once per week;
* Recent, unexplained fainting spells;
* Problems giving blood samples;
* Diabetes treated with insulin; non-insulin treated diabetes (unless glucose is less than 180mg/dcl and HbA1c is less than 7%);
* Current cancer or treatment for cancer in the past six months (except basal or squamous cell skin cancer);
* Other major medical condition;
* Current psychiatric disease (with the exception of anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and ADHD);
* Suicidal ideation (within the past 10 years) or lifetime occurrence of attempted suicide;
* Current depression;
* Bulimia or anorexia;
* Pregnant or nursing mothers;
* Alcohol abuse;
* Use of Opiate medications for pain or sleep in the past 14 days;
* Significant adverse reaction to nicotine patches, nicotine inhalers, bupropion / Wellbutrin / Zyban or Chantix / Varenicline in the past.
* Use (within the past 30 days) of:
* Illegal drugs (or if the urine drug screen is positive),
* Experimental (investigational) drugs;
* Psychiatric medications including antidepressants, anti-psychotics or any other medications that are known to affect smoking cessation (e.g. clonidine);
* Smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff), cigars, pipes or e-cigarettes;
* Wellbutrin, bupropion, Zyban, Chantix, nicotine replacement therapy or any other smoking cessation aid.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Is at least 18 years of age;
* Has smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day for ≥6 months;
* Is willing to make a quit attempt;
* Is able to participate fully in all aspects of the study;
* Has been provided with, understand, and have signed the informed consent.
* Is in good health as determined by the physician investigator.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Is clinically significant levels of current depression as assessed by CESD (Score \>16) and determined by the physician; or have a life-time diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or dementia as determined by physician investigator;
* Has an unstable medical condition.
* Is using other tobacco product and the primary use is NOT cigarettes.
* Is currently (within the past 30-days) using antipsychotics or antidepressants;
* Is currently (within the past 30-days) using any treatments for tobacco dependence (i.e., behavioral therapy, nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion SR, clonidine, or nortriptyline);
* Is currently using another investigational drug at the time of study enrollment;
* Is currently (within the past 30 days) using an herbal product or dietary supplement for tobacco abstinence;
* Has recent history (in the past 3-months) of alcohol abuse or dependence as assessed by the CAGE questionnaire and study investigators;
* Has a recent history of drug abuse as assessed by physician interview;
* Is pregnant, lactating, or of child bearing potential, likely to become pregnant during the medication phase and not willing to use a reliable form of contraception. Reliable forms of contraception include diaphragm or condom (with spermicidal), injections, intrauterine device \[IUD\], surgical sterilization and abstinence;
* Is a history of any major cardiovascular events in the past 3-months including unstable angina, acute MI or coronary angioplasty;
* Has clinically significant acute or chronic progressive or unstable neurologic, hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, respiratory or metabolic disease;
* Is currently on medications interacting with SAMe, including but not limited to, antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, levodopa, meperidine, dextromethorphan, pentazocine and tramadol;
* Has another household member or relative participating in the study;
* Has known allergy to SAMe.
C: Inclusion Criteria:

Age: 18-75 years old

• Smoking 5 or more cigarettes, Little cigars and/or cigarillos per day, on average, within the 2 months preceding the screening visit and expired CO ≥ 6ppm (if ≤ 5, then NicAlert Strip \>2).

* Interested in treatment that might change smoking behavior
* Able to follow verbal and written instructions in English and complete all aspects of the study
* Provide informed consent and agree to all assessments and study procedures
* Have an address and telephone number where they may be reached
* Be the only participant in their household

Exclusion Criteria:

Standard criteria for transdermal nicotine and varenicline smoking cessation trials will be used.

Exclusion criteria will include the following:

* Within the month immediately preceding the screening visit, use of any form of tobacco products other than cigarettes, little cigars and/or cigarillos on 3 or more days within a week if the individual refuses to refrain from such tobacco use during the course of the study.
* Current enrollment or plans to enroll in another smoking cessation program in the next 12 months
* Plan to use other nicotine substitutes (i.e., OTC or prescription medication for smoking cessation) or smoking cessation treatments in the next 12 months
* Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP greater than 180 or DBP greater than 110)
* Reports diagnosis of seizure disorder or a history of neurological illness or closed head injury that in the opinion of the PI feels that it would affect the results of the EEG
* History of severe kidney disease (e.g. chronic or acute kidney failure) with creatinine clearance below 30 and/or severe liver disease with liver tests over 4 times the upper normal level.
* Laboratory evaluations (kidney and liver) outside normal limits and of potential clinical significance in the opinion of the investigator
* Serious or unstable disease within the past 3 months
* History (last 3 months) of abnormal heart rhythms, cardiovascular disease (stroke, angina, heart attack) may result in ineligibility. These conditions will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the Study Physician.
* Current use of certain medications: (1) Smoking cessation meds (last 7 days), i.e., Wellbutrin, Bupropion, Zyban, NRT, Chantix, (2) Certain medications to treat depression (last 14 days), i.e.

MAOIs and Elavil (Amitriptyline), (3) A case by case determination will be made by study physician for medication on precautionary list, i.e. nitroglycerin, or (4) Daily use of opioids for 30 days or more on phone screen or at screening is exclusionary however PRN use is allowed (i.e., 3:7 days per week or less or if more frequent, use less than a month's duration.) --Meet criteria for the following psychiatric and/or substance use disorders as assessed by the MINI: items C (current manic or hypomanic episode only), I (alcohol abuse - Alcohol Addendum-past 6 months only; current alcohol dependence), J (substance abuse - Substance Abuse Addendum - past 6 months only; current substance dependence), K (current/lifetime psychotic disorder or current/lifetime mood disorder with psychotic features).

* Individuals who meet criteria for non-exclusionary psychiatric disorders that are considered clinically unstable and/or unsuitable to participate as determined by the Principal Investigator and/or Study Physician.

  * Individuals rated as moderate (9-16) to high (17 or greater) on suicidality as assessed by Module B of the MINI. --Psychiatric hospitalization within 1 year of screening date. --A positive urine pregnancy test during the screening period. Women who are two years postmenopausal, or who have had a tubal ligation or a partial or full hysterectomy will not be subject to a urine pregnancy test. --Pregnant, breast-feeding or of childbearing potential and is not protected by a medically acceptable, effective method of birth control while enrolled in the study. Medically acceptable contraceptives include: (1) approved hormonal contraceptives (such as birth control pills, patches, implants or injections), (2) barrier methods (such as a condom or diaphragm) used with a spermicide, or (3) an intrauterine device (IUD). Contraceptive measures sold for emergency use after unprotected sex are not acceptable methods for routine use. --History of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to Varenicline, NRT, or any component of these formulations . --Any medical or psychiatric condition, illness, disorder, or concomitant medication that could compromise participant safety or treatment, as determined by the Principal Investigator and/or Study Physician.

    * Subject considered by the investigator as unsuitable candidate for receipt of an investigational drug, or unstable to be followed up throughout the entire duration of the study.
    * Positive toxicology screen for any of the following drugs: cocaine, opiates, methadone, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, amphetamines, methamphetamines, PCP, or THC.

      * A. Participants with valid prescriptions for opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, amphetamines or methadone will not be excluded. B. Participants failing the toxicology screen will be allowed to re-screen once. If they test positive again, they will not be allowed to return.
    * Must not have visual problems that in the investigators opinion would interfere in the completion of the study assessments
    * Unwilling to change hairstyle or remove a wig as necessary for the appointment to accommodate the net that is required to be worn on the scalp during the study procedure.
D: 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

Answer: D