Performance effects of nicotine during selective attention, divided attention, and simple stimulus detection: an fMRI study.

ABSTRACT: Attention-enhancing effects of nicotine appear to depend on the nature of the attentional function. Underlying neuroanatomical mechanisms, too, may vary depending on the function modulated. This functional magnetic resonance imaging study recorded blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) activity in minimally deprived smokers during tasks of simple stimulus detection, selective attention, or divided attention after single-blind application of a transdermal nicotine (21 mg) or placebo patch. Smokers' performance in the placebo condition was unimpaired as compared with matched nonsmokers. Nicotine reduced reaction time (RT) in the stimulus detection and selective attention but not divided attention condition. Across all task conditions, nicotine reduced activation in frontal, temporal, thalamic,

SUBMITTER: Hahn B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2733682 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature