title: Effects of intravenous nicotine on prepulse inhibition in smokers and non-smokers: relationship with familial smoking.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The reinforcing properties of nicotine may be, in part, derived from its ability to enhance certain forms of cognitive processing. Several animal and human studies have shown that nicotine increases prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex. However, it remains unclear whether these effects are related to smoking susceptibility.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study examined the effects of intravenously delivered nicotine on PPI in smokers and non-smokers, as well as its association with a quantitative index of familial smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 30 non-smokers and 16 smokers, who completed an initial assessment, followed on a separate day by a laboratory assessment of PPI prior to and following each of two intravenous nicotine infusions. Separate doses were used in smoker and non-smoker samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyses indicated that both nicotine infusions acutely enhanced PPI among non-smokers, and this enhancement was positively related to the degree of smoking among first and second-degree relatives. Smokers also displayed PPI enhancement after receiving the first infusion, but this effect was unrelated to familial smoking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that the PPI paradigm may have utility as an endophenotype for cognitive processes which contribute to smoking risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. david.drobes@moffitt.org
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Drobes
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: MacQueen
authors.forename: Melissa D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Blank
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Saladin
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Malcolm
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism; D003215:Conditioning, Eyelid / Q000187:drug effects; D004576:Electromyography; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000187:drug effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine; D002248:Carbon Monoxide