Therapeutics

Varenicline

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Overview

Name: Varenicline
Synonyms: Champix™, Chantix™, Varenicline tartrate, CP-526,555, Alpha4 beta2 nicotinic receptor agonist
Chemical Name: 7,8,9,10-Tetrahydro-6,10-methano-6H-pyrazino[2,3-h][3]benzazepin
Therapy Type: Small Molecule (timeline)
Target Type: Cholinergic System (timeline)
Condition(s): Alzheimer's Disease
U.S. FDA Status: Alzheimer's Disease (Discontinued)
Company: Pfizer
Approved for: Smoking cessation

Background

Varenicline is a medication approved in the United States and many other countries to aid smoking cessation. It is a partial agonist of the α4β2 subtype of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). It also acts on α3β4 and α7 nACHRs.  Acting as a partial agonist, varenicline stimulates the α4β2 receptor without producing the full effect of the nicotine ligand.  Its competitive binding on these receptors blocks the ability of nicotine to stimulate the mesolimbic dopamine system, hence its indicated use. Varenicline also acts as an agonist at 5-HT3 serotonine receptors, which are thought to contribute to its mood-altering effects. Side effects of vareniclin include as changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal ideation, both in people with and without pre-existing psychiatric conditions. Vareniclin is one of several α4β2 nACHRs agonists that have been tested as treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

Findings

In 2009 and 2010, Pfizer compared varenicline to placebo in a six-week Phase 2 trial in 66 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease for its ability to improve cognition as measured by the ADAS-Cog. The multicenter trial was conducted in South Korea. The trial assessed varenicline's safety, tolerability, and ability to improve cognition as measured by the ADAS-Cog. Fifty-four people completed the trial. Varenicline did not improve cognition, nor did it have a benefit on most of the study's secondary outcomes. It did, however, worsen participants' neuropsychriatic state and caused gastrointestinal side effects. Development of varenicline for Alzheimer's therapy was discontinued in 2011. For results of this trial see clinicaltrials.gov.

Last Updated: 11 Jan 2016

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References

External Citations

  1. clinicaltrials.gov
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Further Reading

Papers

  1. Ni R, Marutle A, Nordberg A. Modulation of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor and Fibrillar Amyloid-β Interactions in Alzheimer's Disease Brain. J Alzheimers Dis. 2012 Oct 5; PubMed.
  2. Rollema H, Hajós M, Seymour PA, Kozak R, Majchrzak MJ, Guanowsky V, Horner WE, Chapin DS, Hoffmann WE, Johnson DE, McLean S, Freeman J, Williams KE. Preclinical pharmacology of the alpha4beta2 nAChR partial agonist varenicline related to effects on reward, mood and cognition. Biochem Pharmacol. 2009 Oct 1;78(7):813-24. Epub 2009 Jun 6 PubMed.
  3. Wing VC, Wass CE, Bacher I, Rabin RA, George TP. Varenicline modulates spatial working memory deficits in smokers with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res. 2013 Sep;149(1-3):190-1. Epub 2013 Jul 11 PubMed.