Distinguishing withdrawal relief from absolute facilitation: commentary on Bell et al.
A recent article in this journal by Bell and colleagues (Bell SL, Taylor RC, Singleton EG, Henningfield JE, Heishman SJ, Nicotine & Tobacco Research 1:45-52, 1999) studied the effects of smoking on cognitive performance using an overnight smoking abstention design. They interpreted their results for a two-letter search task (poorer performance following abstention that was improved by smoking) as indicating 'nicotine withdrawal-induced cognitive impairment' (p. 50). However, in this commentary, we point out that overnight-abstention experimental designs cannot distinguish withdrawal relief from absolute facilitation of performance (or a combination of the two). We suggest two approaches to resolving the issue of the nature of smoking/nicotine's effects on human cognitive performance.
Pritchard
W S
WS
Psychophysiology Laboratory, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27102, USA. pritchw@rjrt.com
Robinson
J H
JH
D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000150:complications*