NCT05587361

Brief Summary

This study is designed to investigate the effects of a beta-adrenergic antagonist (Propranolol; 40 mg IR) and nicotine patch (14 mg) administered alone and in combination on neurobiological and behavioral responses to smoking cues in ongoing cigarette smokers. This is a basic experimental study in humans and participants will not take these medications for an extended period or make a cessation attempt as part of their involvement in this research project.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
80

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for phase_4

Timeline
11mo left

Started Nov 2024

Typical duration for phase_4

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress62%
Nov 2024Mar 2027

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 3, 2022

Completed
17 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 20, 2022

Completed
2.1 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 26, 2024

Completed
2.3 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 31, 2027

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 31, 2027

Last Updated

April 28, 2026

Status Verified

April 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

2.3 years

First QC Date

October 3, 2022

Last Update Submit

April 27, 2026

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

  • Cue-Provoked Craving Ratings

    Self-reported smoking urges in response to smoking and non-smoking cues during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Scores range from 0 to 10 with higher values indicating increased craving for cigarettes.

    Approximately 4-5 hours

  • Blood-Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Activation to Smoking Cues

    Blood-Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Contrast (Smoking-Neutral) in Anterior Hippocampus, Amygdala, Dorsal Anterior Insula, Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Posterior Cingulate Cortex and Ventral Striatum

    Approximately 4-5 hours

  • Association between Smoking Urge and Brain Activation

    Indices of covariation between cue-provoked craving BOLD activation to smoking cues

    Approximately 4-5 hours

  • Hippocampus-Amygdala connectivity to smoking cues

    Index of connectivity between these brain regions

    Approximately 4-5 hours

  • Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Posterior Cingulate Cortex connectivity

    Index of connectivity between these brain regions

    Approximately 4-5 hours

  • Association between Smoking Urge and Brain Connectivity

    Indices of covariation between cue-provoked craving BOLD activation to smoking cues

    Approximately 4-5 hours

Study Arms (4)

Placebo Patch/Placebo Propranolol

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Placebo Nicotine Patch Placebo Propranolol

Drug: Placebo PropranololDrug: Placebo Patch

Placebo Patch/Active Propranolol

EXPERIMENTAL

Placebo Nicotine Patch Active Propranolol (40 mg, immediate release)

Drug: PropranololDrug: Placebo Patch

Active Patch/Placebo Propranolol

EXPERIMENTAL

Active Nicotine Patch (14 mg) Placebo Propranolol

Drug: Nicotine PatchDrug: Placebo Propranolol

Active Patch/Active Propranolol

EXPERIMENTAL

Active Nicotine Patch (14 mg) Active Propranolol (40 mg, immediate release)

Drug: PropranololDrug: Nicotine Patch

Interventions

Propranolol Capsule; 40 mg IR

Active Patch/Active PropranololPlacebo Patch/Active Propranolol

Nicotine Patch; 14 mg

Active Patch/Active PropranololActive Patch/Placebo Propranolol

Placebo Capsule, no active ingredients

Active Patch/Placebo PropranololPlacebo Patch/Placebo Propranolol

Placebo Patch, no active ingredients

Placebo Patch/Active PropranololPlacebo Patch/Placebo Propranolol

Eligibility Criteria

Age21 Years - 60 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Generally healthy
  • Age 21-60
  • Right-handed using a three-item scale
  • Daily smoker of ≥ 5 cigarettes/day delivering 0.5 mg nicotine (FTC)
  • Smoking regularly for ≥ 1 year, with stable smoking for the past 6 months
  • Afternoon expired Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration ≥ 6 ppm and/or morning urinary cotinine \>100 ng/ml
  • Must identity at least 4 different smoking locations used in a typical week
  • Able to read and understand English

You may not qualify if:

  • Inability to attend all required sessions
  • Significant health problems that would preclude active participation
  • Presence of conditions that would make MRI unsafe (e.g. pacemaker) or (e.g. weight and body shape)
  • Current use of psychoactive medications/drugs as indicated by self-report or urine screen
  • Positive breath alcohol concentration
  • Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the course of the study (females)
  • Problems with vision that cannot be corrected with contacts or glasses
  • Current regular use of smokeless tobacco, smoking cessation medications, or other nicotine containing products (e.g. electronic cigarettes)
  • Current use of beta-adrenergic medications (e.g. beta-blockers) or other blood pressure medications
  • Systolic blood pressure \< 90 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \< 60 mmHg (sitting or standing)
  • Abnormal EKG
  • Presence of severe anemia
  • Presence of electrolyte imbalance that could impact blood pressure
  • Presence of any other contraindications for propranolol or nicotine patch (e.g. cardiovascular disease, bronchial asthma, prior allergic reactions, diabetes)

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Hardesty Center for Clinical Research and Neuroscience

Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74136, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tobacco Use DisorderCigarette Smoking

Interventions

PropranololTobacco Use Cessation Devices

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Substance-Related DisordersChemically-Induced DisordersMental DisordersTobacco SmokingSmokingBehaviorTobacco Use

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

PhenoxypropanolaminesPropanolaminesAmino AlcoholsAlcoholsOrganic ChemicalsPropanolsAminesNaphthalenesPolycyclic Aromatic HydrocarbonsHydrocarbons, AromaticHydrocarbons, CyclicHydrocarbonsPolycyclic CompoundsTherapeutics

Study Officials

  • Jason A Oliver, PhD

    University of Oklahoma

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Jason A Oliver, PhD

CONTACT

Isabel Brush, B.A.

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 4
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

October 3, 2022

First Posted

October 20, 2022

Study Start

November 26, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

March 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 31, 2027

Last Updated

April 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations