Mechanisms of Lorcaserin for Smoking Cessation

Identifying new medication options is critical for curbing the health burdens of cigarette smoking. Currently approved smoking cessation medications act on nicotinic receptors, and additional work is needed to identify medications with alternate pharmacological targets. Based on evidence that the serotonin system plays a role in nicotine consumption and relapse, this study will examine whether a selective serotonin medication alters smoking-related behaviors and responses to cigarette smoking under controlled conditions, informing its potential utility for smoking cessation.