Individual differences in amygdala reactivity following nicotinic receptor stimulation in abstinent smokers.

ABSTRACT: Hyperactive amygdala functioning may underlie emotional dysregulation during smoking abstinence and represents one neurobiological target for pharmacological cessation aids. Available pharmacotherapies (e.g., nicotine replacement and varenicline) aid only a subset of individuals with smoking cessation and therefore elucidating the neurobiological impact of these medications is critical to expedite improved interventions. In a fMRI study employing a within-subject, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, we assessed task performance and amygdala functioning during an emotional face matching paradigm following administration of nicotine and varenicline to 24 abstinent smokers and 20 nonsmokers. All participants underwent ~17days of varenicline and placebo pill administration and were scanne

SUBMITTER: Sutherland MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3636184 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature