Trial Information

Summary: Are you ready to quit smoking?

We are inviting smokers who are dedicated to quitting and currently smoke at least 15 cigarettes a day to participate in a clinical trial for smoking cessation. This trial investigates the benefits of using real-time functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rtfMRI) to increase cognitive control over craving plus nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) compared with NRT alone. Participants will be required to quit smoking and wear a nicotine patch for 8 weeks, and will be required to participate in up to 9 MRI scans over a 10 week period.

Benefits to Participants

• Directly see the activity in your own brain on an MRI scan (example above), and try to learn to control it
• Access a newly developed experimental brain imaging technology only available through this study
• 8 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy to aid smoking cessation

Procedure
This is an experimental procedure and a controlled trial. We cannot and do not imply that this will be effective in long term smoking cessation.

Location
Participants must be able to attend sessions in Menlo Park, CA.

Compensation
Eligible participants will receive compensation for study completion and $10/hour for transportation costs involved with traveling to Menlo Park.

Study inclusion / exclusion criteria

• Participants must be between 21 and 50 years old, right handed, with a current smoking habit of at least 15 cigarettes per day over the past 3 years.
• You must be able to read and understand English.
• You will need to arrange transportation to our office in Menlo Park, CA for 8-13 visits.
• You will need to abstain from smoking for 12 hours before the first scan and quit smoking once you begin with nicotine replacement therapy (the patch). This will be verified with a breath test and urine analysis.
• Participation includes quitting smoking with use of nicotine replacement therapy (provided), completing questionnaires, and 3-9 scans in a full-body MRI machine, which may involving viewing your brain activity through virtual reality goggles and simultaneously using mental strategies to cognitively control your craving for nicotine.
• You cannot have a recent history of significant psychological, neurological, or substance abuse disorders other than nicotine dependence.
• You cannot participate if you have a sensitivity to noise, claustrophobia, tattoos on your head or face, implanted medical devices or dental work with posts. Women cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding or seeking to become pregnant, and this will be verified by a self-administered urine test.
• MRI does not involve ionizing radiation or X-rays.

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Trial listings updated: June 1, 2008 at 6:43:59 AM