The effects of transdermal nicotine on inspection time.
BACKGROUND
The acute administration of nicotine via a cigarette has been demonstrated to enhance inspection time (IT), a measure of rapid visual information processing, while the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine impairs IT. However, as transdermal nicotine patches provide a slow delivery of nicotine, it is unclear if they produce similar effects to nicotine administered by more rapid methods.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of transdermal nicotine on inspection time.


METHODS
Ten moderate smokers were administered nicotine (21 mg/day) or placebo via a transdermal patch in a randomized, double-blind, repeated measures design. Subjects were administered the IT task at baseline, then 1, 3, and 6 h subsequent to patch application.


RESULTS
The change in IT from baseline was significantly different in the nicotine condition, relative to placebo, at 3 h but not 1 or 6 h.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that nicotine administered via transdermal patches improves IT, but this improvement may be subject to tolerance. Data from previous studies on tolerance to the cognitive effects of nicotine have been inconclusive. However, the slow delivery of nicotine from patches may be more likely to produce such effects.
Thompson
J C
JC
Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University, Hawthorn, Vic, Australia.
Wilby
G
G
Stough
C
C
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D009538:Nicotine