Cognitive and antismoking effects of varenicline in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

摘要: Abstract Objective Varenicline has been shown to be an effective anti-smoking treatment in smokers without identified psychiatric illness, and the drug's pharmacology suggests possibilities of pro-cognitive effects. However, recent reports suggest varenicline may have potential for important side-effects some people. We present first prospective quantitative data on effects cognitive function, cigarette smoking, psychopathology a small sample schizophrenic patients. Method Fourteen were enrolled open-label study with pre-post design. Measures function (RBANS, Virtual Water-Maze Task), smoking (cotinine levels, CO self-reported urges), (PANSS) evaluated prior during varenicline. Data changes among another drug study, which patients not receiving varenicline, used comparison. Results 12 completed 2 terminated two weeks active because complaints nausea or shaking. produced significant improvements test scores, primarily associated verbal learning memory, but scores visual-spatial attention. significantly decreased all indices did produce complete abstinence most During there no increases patient developed signs clinical depression suicidal ideation. Conclusions Our that appears beneficial need confirmed larger studies additional neuropsychological tests. efficacy schizophrenia longer are needed determine whether it will rates similar those found control smokers. Treatment increase schizophrenia, we cannot accurately estimate absolute risk potentially rare side-effect from this sample.