Maureen Kaune

Publications (3)9.65 Total impact

• Article: The efficacy of olanzapine for decreasing cue-elicited craving in individuals with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence: a preliminary report.

  David A Smelson, Douglas Ziedonis, John Williams, Miklos F Losonczy, Jill Williams, Marc L Steinberg, Maureen Kaune
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  ABSTRACT: Although a growing body of research suggests that atypical neuroleptic medications are efficacious in the treatment of cocaine addiction among individuals with schizophrenia, more rigorously controlled trials are needed. To extend this research, we performed a 6-week double-blind study comparing olanzapine to haloperidol with the primary objective of reducing cue-elicited cocaine craving and the secondary aims of decreasing substance use, improving psychiatric symptoms, and determining an effect size for future studies. Thirty-one subjects with cocaine dependence and schizophrenia were randomized to olanzapine or haloperidol, underwent a cue-exposure procedure, and completed psychiatric and substance abuse ratings. Individuals in the olanzapine group who completed the study had a significant reduction on the energy subscale of the Voris Cocaine Craving Scale at study completion compared with individuals in the haloperidol group. The olanzapine-treated group also had lower, but not statistically significant, PANSS General Psychopathology Subscale scores and fewer positive urine toxicology screens compared with those in the haloperidol group. This small, but rigorously controlled, pilot trial provides additional evidence for the use of atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of individuals with co-occurring schizophrenia and cocaine dependence. Reductions in craving were associated with medium to large effect sizes.
  Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 03/2006; 26(1):9-12. · 4.10 Impact Factor
• Article: A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study of risperidone for decreasing cue-elicited craving in recently withdrawn cocaine dependent patients.

  David A Smelson, John Williams, Douglas Ziedonis, Bradley D Sussner, Miklos F Losonczy, Charles Engelhart, Maureen Kaune
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  ABSTRACT: Cocaine use causes an initial increase in dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission that is largely responsible for the pleasurable and reinforcing effects of the drug. Dysregulation of these neurotransmitters during withdrawal plays an important role in craving. Recent research has focused on the use of dopamine and serotonin antagonists early in recovery to reduce cocaine craving in both schizophrenic and non-schizophrenic cocaine dependent patients. This 2-week, double blind, placebo-controlled study compared risperidone vs. placebo in reducing cue-elicited cocaine craving. Thirty-four subjects with cocaine dependence were randomized to either risperidone or a placebo and underwent a weekly cue-exposure procedure. Although both groups had a reduction in craving over time, there were no significant differences among those treated with risperidone (n=19) compared to those taking a placebo (n=16) on the four craving dimensions. The results do not support the hypothesis that risperidone reduces cocaine craving among non-schizophrenic cocaine-dependent individuals.
  Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 08/2004; 27(1):45-9. · 3.14 Impact Factor
• Article: Risperidone decreases craving and relapses in individuals with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence.

  David A Smelson, Miklos F Losonczy, Craig W Davis, Maureen Kaune, John Williams, Douglas Ziedonis
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  ABSTRACT: To examine the efficacy of atypical neuroleptics for decreasing craving and drug relapses during protracted withdrawal in individuals dually diagnosed with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence. We conducted a 6-week, open-label pilot study comparing risperidone with typical neuroleptics in a sample of withdrawn cocaine-dependent schizophrenia patients. Preliminary results suggest that individuals treated with risperidone had significantly less cue-elicited craving and substance abuse relapses at study completion. Further, they showed a trend toward a greater reduction in negative and global symptoms of schizophrenia. Atypical neuroleptics may help reduce craving and relapses in this population. Future research should include more rigorous double-blind placebo-controlled studies with this class of medications.
  Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie 10/2002; 47(7):671-5. · 2.42 Impact Factor