Effects of Progesterone on IV Nicotine Induced Changes on BOLD fMRI Signal, Hormones and Subjective Ratings of Stimulant Drugs

The proposed clinical studies will analyze the interactions between progesterone, nicotine, fMRI measures of patterns of brain activity, covariance with endocrine hormones, mood and cardiovascular measures. It is hypothesized that the administration of progesterone at a dose that mimics luteal phase levels in normal cycling women will diminish the positive subjective effects of nicotine, as has been consistently observed for cocaine. This novel approach could have direct implications for facilitating smoking cessation treatment in women of reproductive age

These clinical studies will examine the effects of progesterone on the acute effects of IV nicotine and on patterns of brain activation in areas of the brain with high levels of nicotine receptors. This will be correlated with serum nicotine levels, nicotine-induced changes in subjective states, and endocrine measures of the HPA and HPG axes. The temporal covariance of progesterone's effects on serum nicotine levels and nicotine-induced changes in subjective states and cardiovascular measures will be analyzed.

The covariance between the effects of progesterone on nicotine-induced changes in BOLD fMRI, endocrine, subjective and cardiovascular effects and the temporal concordance with increases in serum nicotine and cotinine levels will be determined.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Men and women between the ages of 18 and 40 who currently smoke at least 15 cigarettes every day, and who fulfill DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for nicotine dependence will be eligible for participation.
* No evidence of clinically significant disease based upon complete medical history and physical examination by a qualified physician.
* Absence of DSM-IV Axis I Disorders other than nicotine dependence (305.10) as measured by the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID).
* Routine laboratory blood tests including complete blood count, electrolytes, BUN and creatinine, liver function tests, hepatitis panel and urinalysis will be performed. Laboratory parameters must be within the normal range. HBsAg must be negative but subjects who have hepatitis serology consistent with previous exposure to Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C, but who do not have clinical and biochemical evidence of acute infection, will be acceptable.
* Hematocrit levels ≥ 39% for males and ≥ 35% for females.
* Serum pregnancy test (hCG beta subunit) results must be negative within 24 hrs of the study day.
* Normal ECG.
* A Body Mass Index (BMI-ratio of weight (W) to height (H) squared; W/H2=kg/m2) of between 18 and 27 for women and 21 to 29 for men.
* Subjects must be able to read and understand instructions, as well as provide a valid informed consent.
* Individuals without hypersensitivity to peanuts or peanut oil.
* Participants without a current diagnosis of lactose intolerance. No evidence of clinically significant disease based upon complete medical history and physical examination by a qualified physician.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants with any lifetime DSM-IV Axis I disorder other than nicotine dependence.
* Participants with clinically significant medical disorders.
* Women who are pregnant as determined by laboratory testing for serum beta hCG.
* Women who use hormonal contraceptive medications will not be accepted, because this would confound the hormonal measures.
* Women with a mean BMI of outside the range 18-27 and men with a BMI outside the range 21-29.
* Participants who describe themselves as seeking treatment will not be selected but will be referred to local smoking cessation programs.
* Participants with allergies to peanuts or peanut oil.
* Participants diagnosed with lactose intolerance.
* Participants with ferromagnetic implants or other contraindications to fMRI:

  * Cardiac pacemakers
  * Metal clips on blood vessels (also called stents)
  * Artificial heart valves
  * Artificial arms, hands, legs, etc.
  * Brain stimulator devices
  * Implanted drug pumps
  * Ear implants
  * Eye implants or known metal fragments in eyes
  * Exposure to shrapnel or metal filings (wounded in military combat, sheet metal workers, welders, and others)
  * Other metallic surgical hardware in vital areas
  * Certain tattoos with metallic ink
  * Transdermal patches (eg. Orthro Evra, Nicoderm CQ)
  * Metal IUD (s)