Transdermal nicotine attenuates depression symptoms in nonsmokers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2006 Nov;189(1):125-33. doi: 10.1007/s00213-006-0516-y. Epub 2006 Sep 15.

Abstract

Rationale: Despite established links between nicotine dependence and depression, little research has examined the effects of nicotine on depression symptoms.

Objective: This study evaluated the acute and chronic effects of transdermal nicotine in nonsmokers with baseline depression symptoms during a 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Methods: Nonsmokers with scores >or=10 on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D) were recruited from the community. Mood and cognitive performance were measured at baseline (day 0) and at 1, 8, 21, and 28 days. Participants were randomly assigned to wear a placebo or nicotine patch for 4 weeks (3.5 mg/day during weeks 1 and 4; 7 mg/day during weeks 2 and 3). The final sample consisted of 11 nonsmokers with a mean baseline CES-D score of 27.36 (SD=10.53).

Results: Salivary nicotine levels indicated the majority of participants were compliant with treatment. Acute nicotine did not alter mood. After adjusting for baseline values, chronic nicotine resulted in a significant decline in CES-D scores at day 8 (3.5 mg/day), but returned to placebo levels by the last visit. This return to baseline levels was coincident with a decrease in nicotine administration from 7 to 3.5 mg/day. A similar trend for improved response inhibition as measured by the Conners Continuous Performance Task was also observed. Reported side effects were infrequent and minimal.

Conclusion: These findings suggest a role for nicotinic receptor systems in the pathophysiology of depression and that nicotinic compounds should be evaluated for treating depression symptoms.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Adult
  • Affect / drug effects
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antidepressive Agents / metabolism
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cognition / drug effects
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Depression / drug therapy*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nicotine / administration & dosage
  • Nicotine / metabolism
  • Nicotine / therapeutic use*
  • Nicotinic Agonists / administration & dosage
  • Nicotinic Agonists / metabolism
  • Nicotinic Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Saliva / metabolism
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Nicotine