Studying Varenicline to Help Stop Smoking and Reduce Neurological Symptoms in Adults with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are exploring the effects of quitting smoking using varenicline on neurological side effects caused by antipsychotic drugs in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. This 12-week pilot study focuses on 10 smokers with pre-existing tardive dyskinesia who are on stable antipsychotic medication doses. The goal is to find out if stopping smoking with varenicline can reduce these neurological symptoms without worsening other movement-related side effects. Participants will begin the study with a 2-week baseline period to monitor symptoms and smoking habits. Varenicline treatment starts at a low dose and increases over the first two weeks, continuing for the remaining 9 weeks. Participants must stop smoking completely by week 6 and will attend several clinic visits for medication checks and symptom assessments throughout the study. During the study, researchers will regularly assess smoking status using questionnaires and carbon monoxide breath tests. Neurological symptoms will be measured with several rating scales, including the Simpson-Angus Scale and Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale. Additional evaluations include psychiatric symptoms, cognitive tests, pregnancy tests for women, and monitoring of medication adherence and adverse events. The main outcome is the participants smoking abstinence at 12 weeks, along with changes in smoking amount and neurological side effects.

Smoking Cessation With Varenicline in Schizophrenia: Antipsychotic-Induced Neurological Symptoms as Correlates