Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26209857›Full record

Trial reportThe international journal of neuropsychopharmacology2015

Effects of Varenicline on Neural Correlates of Alcohol Salience in Heavy Drinkers.

Vatsalya Vatsalya, Joshua L Gowin, Melanie L Schwandt, Reza Momenan, Marion A Coe, Megan E Cooke, Daniel W Hommer, Selena Bartlett, Markus Heilig, Vijay A Ramchandani

Registry-linked trialOpen access · goldAbstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05178069 (Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG), which is not on this map. Cited by 14 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
14citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.1field-weighted citation impact, top 26% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT05178069 phase2recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2022, after this paper: background citation

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG: A Novel Probiotic Therapy for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of LouisvilleRan2022 to 2027Enrolled60ConditionsAlcohol Use Disorder, Alcohol-associated Liver DiseaseArms: Placebo for Probiotic, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

14 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 33 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.

Vatsalya VatsalyaSection on Human Psychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Vatsalya, Gowin, Coe, Cooke, and Ramchandani); Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Schwandt and Heilig); Section on Brain Electrophysiology and Imaging, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Momenan and Hommer); Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Bartlett).V.V. current affiliation: University of Louisville and Robley Rex VAMC, Louisville, Kentucky.
Joshua L GowinSection on Human Psychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Vatsalya, Gowin, Coe, Cooke, and Ramchandani); Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Schwandt and Heilig); Section on Brain Electrophysiology and Imaging, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Momenan and Hommer); Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Bartlett).V.V. current affiliation: University of Louisville and Robley Rex VAMC, Louisville, Kentucky.
Melanie L SchwandtSection on Human Psychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Vatsalya, Gowin, Coe, Cooke, and Ramchandani); Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Schwandt and Heilig); Section on Brain Electrophysiology and Imaging, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Momenan and Hommer); Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Bartlett).V.V. current affiliation: University of Louisville and Robley Rex VAMC, Louisville, Kentucky.
Reza MomenanSection on Human Psychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Vatsalya, Gowin, Coe, Cooke, and Ramchandani); Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Schwandt and Heilig); Section on Brain Electrophysiology and Imaging, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Momenan and Hommer); Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Bartlett).V.V. current affiliation: University of Louisville and Robley Rex VAMC, Louisville, Kentucky.
Marion A CoeSection on Human Psychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Vatsalya, Gowin, Coe, Cooke, and Ramchandani); Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Schwandt and Heilig); Section on Brain Electrophysiology and Imaging, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Momenan and Hommer); Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Bartlett).V.V. current affiliation: University of Louisville and Robley Rex VAMC, Louisville, Kentucky.
Megan E CookeSection on Human Psychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Vatsalya, Gowin, Coe, Cooke, and Ramchandani); Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Schwandt and Heilig); Section on Brain Electrophysiology and Imaging, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Momenan and Hommer); Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Bartlett).V.V. current affiliation: University of Louisville and Robley Rex VAMC, Louisville, Kentucky.
Daniel W HommerSection on Human Psychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Vatsalya, Gowin, Coe, Cooke, and Ramchandani); Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Schwandt and Heilig); Section on Brain Electrophysiology and Imaging, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Momenan and Hommer); Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Bartlett).V.V. current affiliation: University of Louisville and Robley Rex VAMC, Louisville, Kentucky.
Selena BartlettSection on Human Psychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Vatsalya, Gowin, Coe, Cooke, and Ramchandani); Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Schwandt and Heilig); Section on Brain Electrophysiology and Imaging, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Momenan and Hommer); Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Bartlett).V.V. current affiliation: University of Louisville and Robley Rex VAMC, Louisville, Kentucky.
Markus HeiligSection on Human Psychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Vatsalya, Gowin, Coe, Cooke, and Ramchandani); Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Schwandt and Heilig); Section on Brain Electrophysiology and Imaging, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Momenan and Hommer); Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Bartlett).V.V. current affiliation: University of Louisville and Robley Rex VAMC, Louisville, Kentucky.
Vijay A RamchandaniSection on Human Psychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Vatsalya, Gowin, Coe, Cooke, and Ramchandani); Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Schwandt and Heilig); Section on Brain Electrophysiology and Imaging, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (Drs Momenan and Hommer); Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Bartlett).V.V. current affiliation: University of Louisville and Robley Rex VAMC, Louisville, Kentucky. vijayr@mail.nih.gov.
Louisville VA Medical Center · USNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism · USQueensland University of Technology · AUTranslational Research Institute · AU

Funding

Translational Research and Science Education (OUT)P60AA007611 · NIAAA · INDIANA UNIV-PURDUE UNIV AT INDIANAPOLIS · PI DAVID A. KAREKEN · 2003 to 2026
$45.5M
Alcohol Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in HumansZIAAA000466 · NIAAA · NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM · PI RAMCHANDANI, VIJAY ARJUN · 2009 to 2025
$31.2M
fMRI Study of Motivation, Decision-Making, Reward, Risk, Aversion, Craving, impulsivity, and Stress in Alcohol Use DisordersZIAAA000124 · NIAAA · NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM · PI MOMENAN, REZA · 2015 to 2025
$9.9M
Research Education in Statistical Genetics of Substance AbuseR25DA026119 · NIDA · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · PI NEALE, MICHAEL CHURTON · 2008 to 2018
$3.2M
Alcohol Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in HumansZ01AA000466 · NIAAA · NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM · PI RAMCHANDANI, VIJAY ARJUN · 2006 to 2008
$762k
Intramural NIH HHS Z01 AA000466NIAAA NIH HHS P60 AA007611NIAAA NIH HHS Z1A AA000466NIDA NIH HHS R25 DA026119
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPreclinical and emerging clinical evidence indicates that varenicline, a nicotinic partial agonist approved for smoking cessation, attenuates alcohol seeking and consumption. Reductions of alcohol craving have been observed under varenicline treatment and suggest effects of the medication on alcohol reward processing, but this hypothesis remains untested.

methodsIn this double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized experimental medicine study, 29 heavy drinkers underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan after 2 weeks of varenicline (2mg/d) or placebo administration. During functional magnetic resonance imaging, participants performed the Alcohol-Food Incentive Delay task, where they could earn points for snacks or alcohol. At baseline and after 3 weeks of medication, participants underwent intravenous alcohol self-administration sessions in the laboratory.

resultsDuring the functional magnetic resonance imaging scan, participants in the varenicline group (N=17) reported lower feelings of happiness and excitement on subjective mood scales when anticipating alcohol reward compared with the placebo group (N=12). Linear mixed effects analysis revealed that anticipation of alcohol reward was associated with significant blood oxygen level dependent activation of the ventral striatum, amygdala, and posterior insula in the placebo group; this activation was attenuated in the varenicline group. The varenicline group showed no difference in intravenous alcohol self-administration relative to the placebo group for either session. Participants with higher insula activation when anticipating alcohol reward showed higher alcohol self-administration behavior across groups.

conclusionsOur findings suggest that varenicline decreases blood oxygen level dependent activation in striato-cortico-limbic regions associated with motivation and incentive salience of alcohol in heavy drinkers. This mechanism may underlie the clinical effectiveness of varenicline in reducing alcohol intake and indicates its potential utility as a pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorders.

Indexed as

RewardAdministration, IntravenousAdultAlcohol DeterrentsAlcohol DrinkingAnticipation, PsychologicalBrainBrain MappingCentral Nervous System DepressantsCerebrovascular CirculationDouble-Blind MethodEmotionsEthanolFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingAlcohol DeterrentsCentral Nervous System DepressantsEthanolNicotinic AgonistsOxygenVareniclineAlcohol-Food Incentive Delay (AFID) taskheavy drinkersintravenous (IV) infusionneuroimagingventral striatum

Identifiers

PMID26209857
PMCPMC4675979
OpenAlexW2151682503

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.