The Effects of Nicotine Withdrawal on Reward Responsivity in Schizophrenia
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
1969-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
It has been suggested that patients with schizophrenia smoke in order to produce amelioration
of dysfunctional dopaminergic pathways allowing them to experience pleasure and satisfaction
and overcome anhedonia. No studies have assessed the effects of nicotine withdrawal on reward
responsivity in patients with schizophrenia. The investigators believe that an understanding
of this is crucial if improved treatments for nicotine dependence are to be developed for
this patient population. If this group already has deficits in reward responsivity as a
symptom of the disease then they may be particularly prone to the effects of nicotine
withdrawal on reward systems. Smoking cessation may lead to a further decrease in their
responsivity to pleasurable stimuli and worsening anhedonia. Treatments for smoking cessation
may need to ameliorate any increased deficits if they are likely to be effective in patients
with schizophrenia.