Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized mechanistic clinical trial to test an intravenous dose of either ketamine, midazolam, dexmedetomidine, or a placebo (saline) on cigarette smoking behavior, craving, and neural effects.
This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized mechanistic clinical trial will test non-treatment seeking smokers with an intravenous infusion of ketamine (0.71 mg/kg), midazolam (0.025 mg/kg), dexmedetomidine (0.025 mg/kg), or placebo, at least 2 weeks apart. Participants will complete 7-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of daily craving, withdrawal, and smoking behavior before and after each infusion. They will be asked to abstain from tobacco/nicotine for twenty-four hours post-infusion to induce withdrawal symptoms and return to the lab the following day to complete measures of craving, withdrawal, an MRI scan, and smoking latency. After this study visit, participants will be allowed to smoke as usual for the rest of the EMA diary period. Physical and subjective effects and adverse effects will be closely monitored throughout.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
20
A single dose of IV ketamine will be administered.
A single dose of IV midazolam will be administered
A single dose of IV dexmedetomidine will be administered
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Difference in craving between drug and placebo
difference in self-reported craving for cigarettes after infusions
Time frame: 24-hours post infusion
Difference in tobacco withdrawal symptoms
difference in self-reported withdrawal symptoms after infusions
Time frame: 24-hours post infusion
Difference in cigarette demand
difference in self-reported cigarette demand after infusions
Time frame: 24-hours post infusion
Number of cigarettes smoked ad lib
Time frame: 24-hours post infusion
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
A single dose of IV saline will be administered