Response inhibition and sustained and attention in heavy smokers versus non-smokers

Limor Dinur-Klein*, Semion Kertzman, Oded Rosenberg, Moshe Kotler, Abraham Zangen, Pinhas N. Dannon

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Repeated nicotine administration induces neuro-adaptations associated with abnormal dopaminergic activity. These neuronal changes may contribute to impaired inhibitory control and attention deficit. However, it remains unclear whether smokers perform worse than non-smokers on tests that involve attention and control of impulsivity. The present study examined response inhibition and sustained attention capacities in a large sample of smokers and non-smokers. Methods: Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and Go/ NoGo computerized tasks were used as a measure of response-inhibition ability and sustained attention. Threeway repeated measures analysis of covariance was used with response time, variability of response time, number of commission errors (inappropriate responses to stimuli) and number of omission errors (missed stimuli) as dependent measures. Main effects were: group (smokers and controls), condition (CPT and Go/NoGo), and block (in each condition); gender, education, and age were used as covariates. Results and Conclusions: Smokers, as compared to the control group, made more errors of commission in the Go/ NoGo task, reflecting impaired inhibition ability. However, we found no significant differences between the groups in our measure of sustained attention. Impaired response inhibition was found to co-occur with heavy smoking and therefore may be a potential target for the development of more effective cessation programs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)240-247
Number of pages8
JournalIsrael Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences
Volume51
Issue number4
StatePublished - 11 Aug 2014

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Response inhibition and sustained and attention in heavy smokers versus non-smokers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this