CNSCR Studies Overview

 Researchers at the Center conduct studies examining a wide variety of issues related to smoking. Descriptions of the studies for which we are currently seeking participants can be found below. Some studies are for subjects that want to quit smoking, while others are for subjects that might not be ready to quit.

 Please read through the descriptions carefully. If you are interested in participating in one of the projects, please contact the person listed in the study description.

 Please Note: women who are pregnant or nursing cannot participate in our studies, and women of childbearing potential must avoid becoming pregnant during the course of a study. If you are a woman of childbearing potential, a blood pregnancy test will be done (using about one teaspoon of blood drawn from a vein), and it must be negative before you can enter a study.  

CURRENT STUDIES

•Laboratory Studies
• Comparison of Chippers and Addicted Smokers in Compensatory Behavior in Response to Nicotine Deprivation  (Raleigh and Winston Salem locations) 

The purpose of this study is to examine responses to nicotine and to the drug mecamylamine in chippers (occasional, non-dependent smokers) and in dependent smokers. Conventional nicotine patches will be used in the study.

We will recruit healthy males and non-pregnant females, ages 18 - 65 years, from the Raleigh and Winston-Salem communities for this study.

If you agree to participate in this study you will first come in for a screening visit. You will be given a physical examination to be sure you will not be put at any risk by being in this study. We will monitor your heart rate and blood pressure. We will draw a sample of about 2 tablespoons (30ml) of blood from a vein in your arm and we will collect a urine sample. You will also smoke one cigarette through a smoking device. This visit will last approximately 2 hours.

This study requires a total of 5 visits (1 screening and 4 laboratory visits). Subjects will be asked to not smoke for 12 hours prior to each laboratory session. During each lab visit we will collect one saliva sample and multiple small blood samples, take carbon monoxide readings, and participants will fill out multiple questionnaires. Subjects will apply a skin patch (Nicoderm 21 mg/24 h or placebo) and subjects will swallow one capsule containing mecamylamine or placebo. Subjects will also smoke through a device which mixes together smoke from two cigarettes and have a 1 hour period of ad-lib smoking. Each lab visit will last 4.5 to 5 hours.

There is no cost to you to participate in this study. Any costs, including study procedures and supplies, will be paid for by the study.

Subjects will be paid up to $400 for completing this study. Subjects will not be compensated for the screening.

For further information or to participate in this study, please call 888-525-DUKE,
or e-mail smoking@duke.edu

Return to top