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Neuropsychopharmacology : Official... Nov 2023Fetal alcohol exposure has deleterious consequences on the motor skills of patients affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and in pre-clinical models of...
Fetal alcohol exposure has deleterious consequences on the motor skills of patients affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and in pre-clinical models of gestational ethanol exposure (GEE). Deficits in striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) and dopamine function impair action learning and execution, yet the effects of GEE on acetylcholine (ACh) and striatal dopamine release remain unexplored. Here, we report that alcohol exposure during the first ten postnatal days (GEE), which mimics ethanol consumption during the last gestational trimester in humans, induces sex-specific anatomical and motor skill deficits in female mice during adulthood. Consistent with these behavioral impairments, we observed increased stimulus evoked-dopamine levels in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) of GEE female, but not male, mice. Further experiments revealed sex-specific deficits in β2-containing nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR)-modulation of electrically evoked dopamine release. Moreover, we found a reduced decay of ACh transients and a decreased excitability of striatal CINs in DLS of GEE females, indicating striatal CIN dysfunctions. Finally, the administration of varenicline, a β2-containing nAChR partial agonist, and chemogenetic-mediated increase in CIN activity improved motor performance in adult GEE females. Altogether, these data shed new light on GEE-induced striatal deficits and establish potential pharmacological and circuit-specific interventions to ameliorate motor symptoms of FASD.
Topics: Humans; Male; Pregnancy; Mice; Female; Animals; Adult; Dopamine; Acetylcholine; Motor Skills; Ethanol; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; Corpus Striatum; Nicotinic Agonists
PubMed: 37188849
DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01594-4 -
The Canadian Journal of Cardiology Sep 2023This review provides an overview of potential vaping-cessation interventions in adult former smokers. The interventions reviewed include varenicline, bupropion,... (Review)
Review
This review provides an overview of potential vaping-cessation interventions in adult former smokers. The interventions reviewed include varenicline, bupropion, nicotine-replacement therapies (NRTs), and behavioural therapy. Evidence for intervention effectiveness is provided when available, such as for varenicline, whereas recommendations for bupropion and NRT are extrapolated from case studies or smoking-cessation guidelines. The limitations of these interventions, a general lack of prospective studies, and a discussion of challenges to vaping safety from a public health perspective are also discussed. Although these interventions show promise, further research is needed to establish precise protocols and dosages in the context of vaping cessation, rather than adapting existing recommendations from smoking cessation.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Bupropion; Smoking Cessation; Varenicline; Nicotinic Agonists; Vaping; Smokers; Tobacco Use Cessation Devices
PubMed: 37119945
DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.04.020 -
Journal of the Formosan Medical... Oct 2023Smoking is a strong risk factor for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Varenicline is commonly used as a smoking cessation medication, but little is known... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Smoking is a strong risk factor for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Varenicline is commonly used as a smoking cessation medication, but little is known about its usage in patients with AMI, particularly in hospitalized patients.
METHODS
This is a prospective observational, single-center study collected from May 2018 to July 2021. Study patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for AMI. The primary end point was set as safety of varenicline, focusing on any serious adverse cardiac events within 24 weeks after treatment. Efficacy of smoking abstinence was also assessed through self-reports of complete abstinence over a week before the 24- week clinic visit.
RESULTS
A total of 162 patients hospitalized with AMI were enrolled in our study. Mean age was 56.7 ± 9.95 years and 97% of the patients were male. Most patients (93.2%) received their first dose of varenicline during hospitalization. Time from admission to first dose of study medication was 2.31 ± 2.73 days and duration of drug intake was 7.41 ± 5.18 weeks. At week 24, only one patient had recurrent myocardial infarction, five patients had undergone revascularization for target lesion failure, and no additional patients developed stroke or died. In terms of efficacy, the rate of smoking abstinence was 79%. Light smokers found it easier to quit smoking than heavy smokers.
CONCLUSION
This study may represent the first report on the safety and efficacy of early initiation of varenicline treatment in East Asian population hospitalized due to AMI who recently underwent percutaneous coronary intervention.
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; East Asian People; Myocardial Infarction; Nicotinic Agonists; Smoking Cessation; Treatment Outcome; Varenicline
PubMed: 37002175
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2023.03.016 -
Health Promotion Journal of Australia :... Oct 2023Adherence to smoking cessation medications is low and predicts the success of quit attempts. Health care providers (HCPs) role in delivering smoking cessation support is...
ISSUE ADDRESSED
Adherence to smoking cessation medications is low and predicts the success of quit attempts. Health care providers (HCPs) role in delivering smoking cessation support is crucial. HCPs support to improve adherence to smoking cessation medication has not been evaluated in Australia. This study describes the attitudes and practices of HCPs in Australia towards adherence to smoking cessation medications (nicotine replacement therapies, varenicline and bupropion) and intervention options.
METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 70 HCPs in Australia. Participants were recruited through the social media platforms of professional societies in Australia. Data was collected in the periods between November 2020 and September 2021. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS statistical software version 27.0 and data was presented using proportions and percentages.
RESULTS
The majority of participants were doctors, nurses and midwives (82.8%). Almost two-thirds of the participants (68.6%) self-reported that they provided adequate adherence support to individuals taking smoking cessation medications. The majority of participants (87.1%) identified adherence support service as part of their professional role. Only 11.1% of the participants who did not believe supporting medication adherence to be their role reported providing adherence support. The main perceived barriers to adherence support are lack of skill, knowledge, time and resources. HCPs believed that providing additional counselling and monitoring of adherence can improve adherence rates.
CONCLUSIONS
In an online survey conducted in Australia, HCPs indicated multiple barriers to providing adherence support and intervention strategies that should be considered for smoking cessation programs. A higher proportion of participants who perceived adherence support as their professional role reported supporting adherence to smoking cessation medications. SO WHAT?: Considerations should be given to improve HCPs attitudes and practices towards smoking cessation medications adherence support. Smoking cessation programs should consider the issue of adherence support. Further studies with a larger sample size across a broader range of HCPs are needed to extensively understand adherence service provision among HCPs in Australia.
Topics: Humans; Smoking Cessation; Smoking; Cross-Sectional Studies; Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; Australia; Health Personnel
PubMed: 36284364
DOI: 10.1002/hpja.674