Phase IIb Trial of an α7 Nicotinic Receptor Partial Agonist With and Without Nicotine Patch for Withdrawal-Associated Cognitive Deficits and Tobacco Abstinence.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine whether a novel α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist improves cognition during nicotine withdrawal and improves abstinence rates. To do so, the effect of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, encenicline, on cognition and abstinence was evaluated when given as monotherapy and when combined with transdermal nicotine patch (nicotine replacement therapy [NRT]). METHODS: Adult daily smokers, n = 160, who were motivated to quit smoking completed cognitive testing at satiated baseline and after overnight abstinence and then were randomized to receive a 12-week trial of encenicline 1 mg twice daily or identical placebo the day of the overnight abstinent cognitive testing. In the first 6 weeks of the 12-week encenicline administration, participants were also randomized to 6 weeks of NRT patch or placebo patch. Primary outcomes were cognition during abstinence and 7-day point-prevalence abstinence at week 12. RESULTS: No beneficial effects of encenicline were observed on cognition or abstinence when compared with placebo or when combined with NRT compared with placebo capsule + NRT. Of the 4 conditions, abstinence rates were lowest among those assigned to encenicline alone. CONCLUSIONS: Beneficial effects of NRT were observed on cognitive and abstinence outcomes when combined with encenicline compared with encenicline plus placebo patch. Addition of NRT to encenicline improved odds of abstinence approximately 3-fold compared with encenicline plus placebo patch. We conclude that encenicline, 1 mg/d, did not improve abstinence-associated cognitive impairment or abstinence rates as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy to NRT patch.

CPAP Treats Enuresis in Adults With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

ABSTRACT: Enuresis, or "bedwetting," in children is associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and often resolves with treatment of OSA. However, it is poorly understood whether a similar relationship exists in adults. We describe a case series of 5 adult patients in whom OSA was diagnosed by laboratory polysomnography, who presented with enuresis that resolved after treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). All cases occurred in the setting of obesity, in addition to other known risk factors for urinary incontinence and enuresis. OSA was diagnosed as severe in all but one case, which was mild. One patient noted recurrence of enuresis that coincided with malfunction of his CPAP machine. There is growing evidence that CPAP therapy may alleviate OSA and enuresis in adults with both conditions. Clinicians should routinely ask about enuresis in patients suspected of having OSA. A systematic study of the association between enuresis and OSA in adults is warranted.