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Naltrexone reduces the relative reinforcing value of nicotine in a cigarette smoking choice paradigm

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Abstract

Rationale

Human behavioral pharmacology studies can examine how medications that target different neurotransmitter systems influence different aspects of smoking. Naltrexone and bupropion have been shown to alter ad lib smoking behavior; however, medication effects on nicotine reward in a cigarette choice paradigm have yet to be investigated.

Objective

This study explored the effects of an acute dose of naltrexone, bupropion, or placebo on the relative reinforcing value of nicotine from cigarette smoking using new nicotine and de-nicotinized (Quest, 0.6 and 0.05 mg = “denicotinized”) cigarettes.

Methods

In a double-blind, within-subjects design, 26 dependent smokers participated in three experimental cigarette smoking sessions following pretreatment with either naltrexone (50 mg), bupropion (300 mg), or placebo. After medication administration and 2 h of monitored deprivation from cigarettes and food, participants rated their responses to the initial exposure to the cigarettes and then participated in four choice sessions over a 2-h period during which they could take four puffs from either cigarette.

Results

The relative reinforcing value of nicotine, as measured by the number of nicotine puffs chosen out of 16, was significantly lower following naltrexone compared to placebo. There were no effects of an acute dose of bupropion on nicotine choices.

Conclusions

These results suggest that naltrexone may reduce the relative reinforcing effects of nicotine via cigarette smoking and support ongoing investigation of opioid antagonists as potential smoking cessation pharmacotherapies.

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Acknowledgements

This research was conducted in accordance with the laws of the United States of America. The authors thank Paul Sanborn, Sean Fleming, Kia Wilson, and Rebecca Ashare for conducting the laboratory sessions.

This work was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Drug Abuse P5084718 and R01-DA-017555 (C.L.), and funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Department specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations, or conclusions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tobacco Use Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Suite 4100, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Margaret Rukstalis, Christopher Jepson, Andrew Strasser, Kevin G. Lynch, Freda Patterson & Caryn Lerman

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Kenneth Perkins

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  1. Margaret Rukstalis
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  2. Christopher Jepson
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  3. Andrew Strasser
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  4. Kevin G. Lynch
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  6. Freda Patterson
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  7. Caryn Lerman
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Correspondence to Caryn Lerman.

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Rukstalis, M., Jepson, C., Strasser, A. et al. Naltrexone reduces the relative reinforcing value of nicotine in a cigarette smoking choice paradigm. Psychopharmacology 180, 41–48 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-004-2136-8

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