The effects of varenicline on attention and inhibitory control among treatment-seeking smokers

Rationale Varenicline represents a new class of smoking cessation aids that has different mechanisms of action that are unique from bupropion or nicotine replacement therapies. An improved understanding of these mechanisms may lead to greater treatment success in quitting smoking. Objectives We examined the effects of steady-state varenicline on attention and inhibitory control among adult treatment-seeking smokers. Methods Adult smokers enrolled in a randomized clinical trial received either 4 weeks of pre-quit varenicline (n=31) or 3 weeks of placebo (n≥26) followed by 1 week of standard varenicline treatment. Participants in the present work completed cognitive assessments at a baseline session (prior to treatment) and again 3 weeks later (during active treatment). At both sessions, participants completed the stop signal task to assess both lapses in attention and inhibitory control. Results Analyses indicated that varenicline improved lapses in attention compared to placebo. There were no significant differences observed between groups at either session for inhibitory control. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that varenicline improves lapses in attention among treatment-seeking smokers preparing to make a quit attempt. These findings suggest that the domain of attentionmay be a good candidate for larger studies of the role of improved cognition in understanding the mechanisms of varenicline treatment for smoking cessation.