Current Research
Project Two to Quit
The goal of this clinical research study is learn if the combination of varenicline and bupropion is more effective at helping people to quit smoking than varenicline when given alone. Researchers also want to learn if this drug combination can reduce cravings and other symptoms of nicotine withdrawal better than varenicline does alone.
Project PNAT
The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if a chemical “marker” in the saliva and blood may be related to people’s ability to quit smoking. We are also interested in testing whether these differences can be used to predict which smokers will benefit from which types of treatment. Ultimately, Project PNAT aims to develop personalized smoking cessation treatment based on the information gained from this research project.
Project HLT
A clinical research study designed to test high and low dose Topiramate to see if this medication can be used to decrease drinking behaviors and increase smoking abstinence.
EAGLES
The goal of this clinical research study is to learn about the safety of varenicline (Chantix/Champix) and of bupropion (Wellbutrin/Zyban) compared to placebo and nicotine-replacement therapy (“the patch”—NRT) when given to smokers with or without a history of mental health disorders. Researchers also want to learn if varenicline, buproprion, and NRT can help people with and without mental health disorders quit smoking.
Project INMASS
The goal of this study is to learn more about signals in the brain that may occur more often in smoker than non-smokers by examining differences in Never-Smokers and Ex-Smokers.
Project Appraise II
The goal of this research study is to learn more about the way nicotine affects attention and emotion.
Project Beyond Cue Reactivity
The goal of this research study is to learn more about how smokers’ and non-smokers’ brains respond to visual stimuli. This study is currently recruiting Non-Smokers from the community. This study is supported by grant number 1R01DA032581-01A1from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to Francesco Versace.
Project GRAND
The goal of this research study is to learn more about how nicotine may affect attention and emotions. This study is currently recruiting Smokers who are not interested in quitting. This study is supported by an independently-reviewed competitive grant supported by Pfizer (Global Research Award for Nicotine Dependence) awarded to Francesco Versace.
Related Resources
Contact Information
For questions about our lab, please contact:
- Regina Richards
Senior Administrative Assistant
713-794-4420
rarichar@mdanderson.org - Altoya Bazile-Robertson
Administrative Assistant
713-792-4154
AIBazile@mdanderson.org
Directions to the Dan L. Duncan Building
Interested in quitting smoking? For more information about any of our smoking cessation studies, call 713-792-2265.
Interested in participating in our non-quit research studies? Call the non-quit line at 713-794-4763 for more information.