Progesterone improves cognitive performance and attenuates smoking urges in abstinent smokers.
BACKGROUND
Progesterone, a steroid hormone, has been implicated in many CNS functions including reward, cognition, and neuroprotection. The goal of this study was to examine the dose-dependent effects of progesterone on cognitive performance, smoking urges, and smoking behavior in smokers.


METHODS
Thirty female and thirty-four male smokers participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Female smokers were in the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle during study participation. Smokers were randomly assigned to either 200 or 400mg/day of progesterone or placebo, given in two separate doses, during clinic visit. The first 3 days of the treatment period, smokers abstained from smoking, which was verified with breath CO levels. Smokers attended an experimental session on day 4 where the number of cigarettes smoked were recorded starting 2h after the medication treatment.


RESULTS
Progesterone treatment, 200mg/day, significantly improved cognitive performance in the Stroop and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Progesterone at 400mg/day was associated with reduced urges for smoking but did not change ad lib smoking behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest a potential therapeutic value of progesterone for smoking cessation.
Sofuoglu
Mehmet
M
Yale University, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA. Mehmet.Sofuoglu@yale.edu
Mouratidis
Maria
M
Mooney
Marc
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D010919:Placebos; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol