Clonidine pre-treatment fails to block acute smoking-induced EEG arousal/mood in cigarette smokers.
Given the arousal eliciting actions of smoking and nicotine, and the contributing role of noradrenaline in brain arousal systems, this study examined the neuroelectric and affective correlates of cigarette smoking following acute pre-treatment with the alpha 2-noradrenergic auto-receptor agonist, clonidine. In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design, quantitative electroencephalography (EEG), mood, and smoking withdrawal symptoms were assessed in 12 overnight smoking abstinence smokers, before and after sham and cigarette smoking. Orally administered clonidine (0.1 mg) failed to alter overnight smoking abstinence symptoms or the EEG arousal and mood-elevating response seen with the smoking of a single cigarette. The results are discussed in relation to neural mechanisms underlying the acute reinforcement maintaining nicotine use.
Knott
Verner J
VJ
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa and Institute of Mental Health Research/Royal Ottawa Hospital, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Z 7K4. vknott@rohcg.on.ca
Raegele
Matt
M
Fisher
Derek
D
Robertson
Nicola
N
Millar
Anne
A
McIntosh
Judy
J
Ilivitsky
Vadim
V
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D003000:Clonidine