title: Varenicline and P50 auditory gating in medicated schizophrenic patients: a pilot study.
abstract: Most schizophrenic patients have a deficit in auditory sensory gating that appears to be mediated by the alpha-7 nicotinic receptor. This pilot study examines the effects of varenicline, an alpha-7 agonist, on the P50 auditory evoked potential in six schizophrenic patients. The study was canceled because of concerning side effects consistent with those reported by the FDA. However, in this small group of subjects, varenicline did not consistently enhance P50 auditory gating.
authors: The Denver VAMC VISN19/MIRECC and UC Denver, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, CO 80220, USA. merilyne.waldo@va.gov
authors: Merilyne C
authors: MC
authors: Waldo
authors: Laurie
authors: L
authors: Woodward
authors: Lawrence E
authors: LE
authors: Adler
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055139:Sensory Gating / Q000187:drug effects*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D000068580:Varenicline
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068580:Varenicline