Examining the effects of initial smoking abstinence on response to smoking-related stimuli and response inhibition in a human laboratory model. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014 May;231(10):2145-58
Date
12/18/2013Pubmed ID
24337077Pubmed Central ID
PMC4123458DOI
10.1007/s00213-013-3360-xScopus ID
2-s2.0-84900857747 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 11 CitationsAbstract
RATIONALE: Research is needed on initial smoking abstinence and relapse risk.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effects of different durations of initial abstinence on sensitivity to smoking-related stimuli and response inhibition in the context of a larger battery of outcome measures.
METHODS: Smokers were randomly assigned to receive payment contingent on smoking abstinence across all 15 study days (15C) or just the final 2 days (2C). Smoking status and subject ratings were assessed daily. Participants completed fMRI sessions at baseline and day 14 during which they completed craving ratings after exposure to smoking-related and neutral stimuli and performed a response inhibition task. On day 15, participants completed a smoking preference session involving 20 exclusive choices between smoking and money.
RESULTS: The payment contingencies were effective in producing greater smoking abstinence in the 15C vs. 2C conditions. Ratings of withdrawal decreased, while ratings of ease and confidence in abstaining increased in the 15C vs. 2C conditions across the 15-day study. 15C participants were less likely to choose the smoking option in the preference session. 15C participants reported greater reductions in craving compared to the 2C participants in the presence of smoking-related and neutral stimuli (i.e., decreases in generalized craving), but no differences were noted in cue reactivity per se or in response inhibition.
CONCLUSIONS: Results systematically replicate prior observations that a period 2 weeks of initial abstinence decreases the relative reinforcing effects of smoking and improves other outcomes associated with relapse risk compared to the initial day or two of a cessation effort, and extends them by underscoring the importance of generalized rather than cue-induced craving in relation to relapse risk during the initial weeks of smoking cessation.
Author List
Bradstreet MP, Higgins ST, McClernon FJ, Kozink RV, Skelly JM, Washio Y, Lopez AA, Parry MAAuthor
Alexa Anderson PhD Associate Professor in the Nursing department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Brain
Brain Mapping
Cues
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Smoking
Smoking Cessation
Young Adult
