Brain Reaction to Treatment of Nicotine Dependence

Neural Substrates of Treatment for Nicotine Dependence

The purpose of the study was to determine how the treatments for cigarette craving work.

Hypothesis: During exposure to cigarette-related cues, heavy smokers will have greater reductions in regional brain activation from before to after both forms of active treatments than from before to after placebo.

PET and fMRI scanning were used to examine brain activity and activation in cigarette smokers in response to cigarette-related cues.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Heavy smoker, more than one pack per day
• Free of medical conditions or medications that affect brain activity
• Not pregnant

Exclusion Criteria:

Drug or alcohol dependence Mental Illness Pregnancy Medications that affect brain function Unstable medical conditions