Double dissociation of working memory and attentional processes in smokers and non-smokers with and without nicotine

Authors: Grundey, J., Amu, R., Ambrus, G.G., Batsikadze, G., Paulus, W. and Nitsche, M.A.

Journal: Psychopharmacology

Volume: 232

Issue: 14

Pages: 2491-2501

eISSN: 1432-2072

ISSN: 0033-3158

DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3880-7

Abstract:

Abstract Nicotine has been shown to affect cortical excitability measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation in smoking and non-smoking subjects in different ways. In tobacco-deprived smokers, administration of nicotine restores compromised cortical facilitation while in non-smokers, it enhances cortical inhibition. As cortical excitability and activity are closely linked to cognitive processes, we aimed to explore whether nicotine-induced physiological alterations in non-smokers and smokers are associated with cognitive changes. Specifically, we assessed the impact of nicotine on working memory performance (n-back letter task) and on attentional processes (Stroop interference test) in healthy smokers and non-smokers. Both tasks have been shown to rely on prefrontal areas, and nicotinic receptors are relevantly involved in prefrontal function. Sixteen smoking and 16 non-smoking subjects participated in the 3-back letter task and 21 smoking and 21 non-smoking subjects in the Stroop test after the respective application of placebo or nicotine patches. The results show that working memory and attentional processes are compromised in nicotine-deprived smokers compared to non-smoking individuals. After administration of nicotine, working memory performance in smokers improved, while non-smoking subjects displayed decreased accuracy with increased number of errors. The effects have been shown to be more apparent for working memory performance than attentional processes. In summary, cognitive functions can be restored by nicotine in deprived smokers, whereas non-smokers do not gain additional benefit. The respective changes are in accordance with related effects of nicotine on cortical excitability in both groups.

Source: Scopus

Double dissociation of working memory and attentional processes in smokers and non-smokers with and without nicotine.

Authors: Grundey, J., Amu, R., Ambrus, G.G., Batsikadze, G., Paulus, W. and Nitsche, M.A.

Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl)

Volume: 232

Issue: 14

Pages: 2491-2501

eISSN: 1432-2072

DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3880-7

Abstract:

Nicotine has been shown to affect cortical excitability measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation in smoking and non-smoking subjects in different ways. In tobacco-deprived smokers, administration of nicotine restores compromised cortical facilitation while in non-smokers, it enhances cortical inhibition. As cortical excitability and activity are closely linked to cognitive processes, we aimed to explore whether nicotine-induced physiological alterations in non-smokers and smokers are associated with cognitive changes. Specifically, we assessed the impact of nicotine on working memory performance (n-back letter task) and on attentional processes (Stroop interference test) in healthy smokers and non-smokers. Both tasks have been shown to rely on prefrontal areas, and nicotinic receptors are relevantly involved in prefrontal function. Sixteen smoking and 16 non-smoking subjects participated in the 3-back letter task and 21 smoking and 21 non-smoking subjects in the Stroop test after the respective application of placebo or nicotine patches. The results show that working memory and attentional processes are compromised in nicotine-deprived smokers compared to non-smoking individuals. After administration of nicotine, working memory performance in smokers improved, while non-smoking subjects displayed decreased accuracy with increased number of errors. The effects have been shown to be more apparent for working memory performance than attentional processes. In summary, cognitive functions can be restored by nicotine in deprived smokers, whereas non-smokers do not gain additional benefit. The respective changes are in accordance with related effects of nicotine on cortical excitability in both groups.

Source: PubMed

Double dissociation of working memory and attentional processes in smokers and non-smokers with and without nicotine

Authors: Grundey, J., Amu, R., Ambrus, G.G., Batsikadze, G., Paulus, W. and Nitsche, M.A.

Journal: PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

Volume: 232

Issue: 14

Pages: 2491-2501

eISSN: 1432-2072

ISSN: 0033-3158

DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3880-7

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Double dissociation of working memory and attentional processes in smokers and non-smokers with and without nicotine.

Authors: Grundey, J., Amu, R., Ambrus, G.G., Batsikadze, G., Paulus, W. and Nitsche, M.A.

Journal: Psychopharmacology

Volume: 232

Issue: 14

Pages: 2491-2501

eISSN: 1432-2072

ISSN: 0033-3158

DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3880-7

Abstract:

Nicotine has been shown to affect cortical excitability measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation in smoking and non-smoking subjects in different ways. In tobacco-deprived smokers, administration of nicotine restores compromised cortical facilitation while in non-smokers, it enhances cortical inhibition. As cortical excitability and activity are closely linked to cognitive processes, we aimed to explore whether nicotine-induced physiological alterations in non-smokers and smokers are associated with cognitive changes. Specifically, we assessed the impact of nicotine on working memory performance (n-back letter task) and on attentional processes (Stroop interference test) in healthy smokers and non-smokers. Both tasks have been shown to rely on prefrontal areas, and nicotinic receptors are relevantly involved in prefrontal function. Sixteen smoking and 16 non-smoking subjects participated in the 3-back letter task and 21 smoking and 21 non-smoking subjects in the Stroop test after the respective application of placebo or nicotine patches. The results show that working memory and attentional processes are compromised in nicotine-deprived smokers compared to non-smoking individuals. After administration of nicotine, working memory performance in smokers improved, while non-smoking subjects displayed decreased accuracy with increased number of errors. The effects have been shown to be more apparent for working memory performance than attentional processes. In summary, cognitive functions can be restored by nicotine in deprived smokers, whereas non-smokers do not gain additional benefit. The respective changes are in accordance with related effects of nicotine on cortical excitability in both groups.

Source: Europe PubMed Central