Behavioral Memory Modulation for Nicotine Addiction

Overseen By Shannon Wnorowski

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina

Disqualifiers: Substance dependence, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

191 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of the study is to see if a behavioral intervention known as retrieval-extinction training (RET) might affect craving in response to nicotine cues (e.g., pictures, videos and objects) and smoking behavior in men and women who smoke cigarettes.

Research Team

Michael Saladin, PhD

Principal Investigator

Medical University of South Carolina

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy adults aged 25-65 who have smoked at least 10 cigarettes daily for over 3 years. They must live within a 50-mile radius of the research site, have reliable transport, and not use other smoking cessation aids during the study. Participants should be willing to stop smoking before certain visits and stay smoke-free for four days.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must live within a 50-mile radius of the research facility and have reliable transportation.

You are a healthy adult between the ages of 25 and 65, and have a history of smoking at least 10 cigarettes per day for 3 years or more.

Participants must agree to forego any other medication or behavioral treatment for smoking cessation while enrolled in the study (with the exception of the SC Quitline).

Exclusion Criteria

You cannot participate if you are addicted to any substances other than nicotine.

Women who are pregnant during the clinical assessment session or either of the fMRI sessions. These participants must agree to notify the study staff if they become pregnant during the study.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo a lab-based smoking-related or non-smoking cue-reactivity experience

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants undergo 3 sessions of Retrieval Extinction Training (RET) or control intervention on consecutive days

1 week

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment with follow-up tests and questionnaires

26 weeks

Multiple visits at Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 21, and 26

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Control Retrieval Extinction Training (RET)
• Retrieval Extinction Training (RET)

Trial Overview The study tests if Retrieval Extinction Training (RET), a behavioral intervention, can reduce cravings and alter smoking behavior in response to nicotine cues. Some participants will undergo RET with fMRI scanning while others without it or may receive control treatments.

Participant Groups

Group I: R-E (Retrieval Extinction) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

83 anticipated participants will undergo 3 sessions on consecutive days of the Retrieval Extinction Training (RET) intervention consisting of a 5-minute 'retrieval' smoking-content video followed 10 minutes later by 1 hour of 'extinction' training consisting of four sequences of smoking-related cues (e.g., pictures). Participants will also receive a lab-based smoking-related cue-reactivity experience during the baseline assessment and 24-hour follow-up test.

Group II: NR-E (No R-E) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

83 anticipated participants will undergo 3 sessions on consecutive days of the control Retrieval Extinction Training (RET) intervention consisting of a 5-minute 'retrieval' non-smoking or neutral-content video followed 10 minutes later by 1 hour of 'extinction' training consisting of four sequences of non-smoking or neutral cues (e.g., pictures). Participants will also receive a lab-based non-smoking or neutral cue-reactivity experience during the baseline assessment and 24-hour follow-up test.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

994

Recruited

7,408,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+