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Pang RD, Chai SH, Tucker CJ, Weinberger AH, D'Orazio LM, Kirkpatrick MG. Effects of cigarette abstinence on negative and positive affect by depression symptom levels: A lab study. J Affect Disord 2022; 307:163-170. [PMID: 35341814 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.03.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High negative affect and low positive affect are key depression-related states that may be greater following acute tobacco abstinence. This study aimed to test associations between depression symptom levels and acute tobacco abstinence with negative affect and positive affect. METHODS Following a baseline session, participants attended two counterbalanced laboratory sessions (non-abstinent, abstinent) and completed measures of positive and negative affect at rest (i.e., when not completing a task) and during a film clip task. RESULTS Individuals with elevated depression symptoms had higher negative affect and lower positive affect at rest and during the film clip task compared to individuals with low depression symptoms. There was no interaction of depression symptom levels and abstinence on negative and positive affect at rest. There was an interaction of depression symptom level and abstinence on negative and positive affect during the film clip task. Individuals with elevated depression showed significant differences in positive and negative affect between the abstinent and non-abstinent session, but no significant abstinence effects were noted in individuals with low depression symptoms. LIMITATIONS The study included a non-treatment seeking sample and experimentally induced acute cigarette abstinence. We excluded for the use of smoking cessation medications that are also used to treat depression, classified depression levels using dichotomized CES-D scores, and used self-report measures of affect. CONCLUSIONS Results of this study suggest individuals with elevated depression symptoms who smoke experience elevated negative affect and lower positive affect and cigarette abstinence may uniquely alter affective reactivity in individuals with elevated depression symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raina D Pang
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, United States of America; Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, United States of America.
| | - Stephanie H Chai
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, United States of America; Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, United States of America
| | - Chyna J Tucker
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, United States of America; Department of Social Welfare, University of California, Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Andrea H Weinberger
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, United States of America; Department of Epidemiology, and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Lina M D'Orazio
- Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, United States of America
| | - Matthew G Kirkpatrick
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, United States of America; Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, United States of America
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Schröder R, Reuter M, Faßbender K, Plieger T, Poulsen J, Lui SSY, Chan RCK, Ettinger U. The role of the SLC6A3 3' UTR VNTR in nicotine effects on cognitive, affective, and motor function. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:489-507. [PMID: 34854936 PMCID: PMC8638222 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-06028-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Nicotine has been widely studied for its pro-dopaminergic effects. However, at the behavioural level, past investigations have yielded heterogeneous results concerning effects on cognitive, affective, and motor outcomes, possibly linked to individual differences at the level of genetics. A candidate polymorphism is the 40-base-pair variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism (rs28363170) in the SLC6A3 gene coding for the dopamine transporter (DAT). The polymorphism has been associated with striatal DAT availability (9R-carriers > 10R-homozygotes), and 9R-carriers have been shown to react more strongly to dopamine agonistic pharmacological challenges than 10R-homozygotes. OBJECTIVES In this preregistered study, we hypothesized that 9R-carriers would be more responsive to nicotine due to genotype-related differences in DAT availability and resulting dopamine activity. METHODS N=194 non-smokers were grouped according to their genotype (9R-carriers, 10R-homozygotes) and received either 2-mg nicotine or placebo gum in a between-subject design. Spontaneous blink rate (SBR) was obtained as an indirect measure of striatal dopamine activity and smooth pursuit, stop signal, simple choice and affective processing tasks were carried out in randomized order. RESULTS Reaction times were decreased under nicotine compared to placebo in the simple choice and stop signal tasks, but nicotine and genotype had no effects on any of the other task outcomes. Conditional process analyses testing the mediating effect of SBR on performance and how this is affected by genotype yielded no significant results. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we could not confirm our main hypothesis. Individual differences in nicotine response could not be explained by rs28363170 genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Reuter
- Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kaja Faßbender
- Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Plieger
- Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jessie Poulsen
- Nicotine Science Center, Fertin Pharma A/S, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Simon S Y Lui
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Raymond C K Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience (NACN) Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ulrich Ettinger
- Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Hughes JR, Klemperer EM, Peasley-Miklus C. Possible New Symptoms of Tobacco Withdrawal II: Anhedonia-A Systematic Review. Nicotine Tob Res 2020; 22:11-17. [PMID: 30726957 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/nty171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION When animals undergo nicotine deprivation, rewards become less rewarding (ie, anhedonia occurs). We searched for tests of whether anhedonia occurs in abstinent smokers. METHODS The major inclusion criterion was a within-participants comparison of behavioral measures of reward sensitivity or self-reported anhedonia during smoking versus during abstinence among daily smokers. A computerized search of PubMed, PsychInfo, and Cochrane databases and other methods located 13 studies. All but one were laboratory studies. RESULTS The number of studies and participants were small and the results mixed. In terms of anticipatory anhedonia (ie, wanting a reward), abstinence appeared to decrease willingness to work for immediately available rewards, but did not appear to influence how much adding rewards to a task increased responding. Abstinence also appeared to produce small increases in self-reported anticipatory anhedonia. In terms of consummatory anhedonia (ie, liking a reward), self-report measures found anhedonia decreased pleasure from rewards in some but not all tests. In terms of learning (ie, learning to choose a more frequent reward), abstinence did not reliably decrease allocating responding to high versus low frequency reward options. CONCLUSIONS Although results were mixed, abstinence appears to increase anticipatory anhedonia. It is unclear if abstinence increases consummatory or reward learning-based anhedonia. Further studies of anhedonia in clinical settings are needed (1) to estimate the reliability and clinical significance of anhedonia as a symptom of tobacco withdrawal, (2) to assess if effects represent withdrawal versus offset processes, and (3) to assess if anhedonia interferes with the ability to stop smoking. IMPLICATIONS Anticipatory anhedonia appears to be a symptom of tobacco withdrawal and should be added to tobacco withdrawal checklists and diagnostic criteria. Further study of consummatory and learning-based anhedonia is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Hughes
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior and Health, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.,Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
| | - Elias M Klemperer
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior and Health, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.,Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
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Cook JW, Lanza ST, Chu W, Baker TB, Piper ME. Anhedonia: Its Dynamic Relations With Craving, Negative Affect, and Treatment During a Quit Smoking Attempt. Nicotine Tob Res 2017; 19:703-709. [PMID: 28486709 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntw247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Research shows that abstinence from tobacco leads to a withdrawal-related decrement in responsivity to nondrug rewards (ie, anhedonia). However, it remains unclear how anhedonia relates to other key withdrawal symptoms and withdrawal-related constructs over time. We analyzed ecological momentary assessment data to examine whether a decrement in response to rewards during a 10-day period following quitting shows a pattern of associations with other variables (ie, treatment, tobacco dependence, negative affect, and craving) that is consistent with anhedonia being a tobacco withdrawal symptom. Methods As part of a randomized controlled trial of smoking cessation therapies, 1122 adults (58% female) were assigned to: placebo (n = 131), bupropion (alone or with nicotine lozenge; n = 401), or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT; lozenge, patch, both; n = 590). Participants completed 4 ecological momentary assessments per day for 10 days postquit, resulting in 22 575 assessments. Results Time-varying effect modeling showed that anhedonia was significantly greater among those high in dependence relative to lower dependent smokers out to day 9 postquit. The placebo group showed elevated anhedonia immediately postquit, which fell to levels similar to the treatment groups by day 7. NRT effectively reduced anhedonia and its time-varying association with craving early in the quit attempt. The positive association between negative affect and anhedonia was moderate and stable over time for both active treatment groups. Conclusions These results provide additional support that anhedonia following quitting smoking is a manifestation of the tobacco withdrawal syndrome. Implications This study supported the hypothesis that diminished responsivity to nondrug rewards (ie, anhedonia) is a symptom of the tobacco withdrawal syndrome. Results showed that anhedonia: (1) was significantly associated with dependence, especially during the early postquit period when withdrawal was at its peak intensity; (2) showed significant time-varying associations with other withdrawal symptoms, especially craving; and (3) was significantly suppressed by agonist administration as was its association with craving over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica W Cook
- Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI.,William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI
| | - Stephanie T Lanza
- The Methodology Center, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA.,Department of Biobehavioral Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
| | - Wanghuan Chu
- Department of Statistics, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
| | - Timothy B Baker
- Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - Megan E Piper
- Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
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Guillot CR, Halliday TM, Kirkpatrick MG, Pang RD, Leventhal AM. Anhedonia and Abstinence as Predictors of the Subjective Pleasantness of Positive, Negative, and Smoking-Related Pictures. Nicotine Tob Res 2017; 19:743-749. [PMID: 28186553 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntx036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Anhedonia-diminished interest or pleasure in response to rewards-is a dimension implicated in several psychiatric disorders linked to smoking. This laboratory study sought to identify motivational mechanisms linking anhedonia and tobacco addiction by testing the hypothesis that anhedonia, abstinence, and their interaction would predict excesses and deficits in the perceived pleasantness of smoking-related and positive pictures, respectively. We assessed the pleasantness of negative pictures as a secondary outcome. Methods After a baseline session involving self-report measures of anhedonia and other factors, 125 regular smokers attended two counterbalanced experimental sessions (overnight abstinent and non-abstinent) at which they rated the pleasantness of positive, smoking-related, negative, and neutral (control) pictures presented via computer. The difference in pleasantness ratings of positive, smoking-related, and negative pictures relative to neutral pictures served as the index of participants' appraisal of the motivational salience of nondrug reward, drug reward, and aversive signals, respectively. Results With and without adjusting for sex and depressive symptoms, greater anhedonia significantly or marginally predicted greater pleasantness of smoking (vs. neutral), lower pleasantness of positive (vs. neutral), less unpleasantness of negative (vs. neutral) pictures (|βs| = 0.18 to 0.35, ps = .007 to .07). Anhedonia by abstinence interaction effects on pleasantness ratings of each stimulus category (vs. neutral) were not significant (|βs| ≤ 0.02, ps ≥ .36). Conclusions Anhedonia and abstinence additively increase the salience of smoking-related cues in anhedonic smokers. Smoking cessation efforts that attenuate sensitization to smoking stimuli may benefit anhedonic smokers early in quit attempts. Implications Taken together, these findings provide tentative evidence that anhedonia is associated with a relative imbalance in the motivational salience of drug relative to nondrug rewards and may be associated with a generalized hypo-reactivity to both positive and negative stimuli. Though some prior smoking research has evidenced this relative imbalance in anhedonia with self-report or a smoking-choice task, we additionally show that this pattern may extend to hyper-affective reactivity to smoking-related stimuli being coincident with hypo-affective reactivity to nondrug-related positive stimuli (ie, may extend to greater pleasantness ratings of smoking pictures being accompanied by lower pleasantness ratings of positive pictures).
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey R Guillot
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
| | | | - Matthew G Kirkpatrick
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Raina D Pang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Adam M Leventhal
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.,Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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Leventhal AM. The Sociopharmacology of Tobacco Addiction: Implications for Understanding Health Disparities. Nicotine Tob Res 2016; 18:110-21. [PMID: 25890832 PMCID: PMC5967296 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntv084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Efforts to reduce the public health burden of tobacco use have not equally benefited all members of society, leading to disparities in tobacco use as a function of ethnicity/race, socioeconomic position, physical/behavioral comorbidity, and other factors. Although multilevel transdisciplinary models are needed to comprehensively understand sources of tobacco-related health disparities (TRHD), the incorporation of psychopharmacology into TRHD research is rare. Similarly, psychopharmacology researchers have often overlooked the societal context in which tobacco is consumed. In an effort to facilitate transdisciplinary research agendas for studying TRHD and the psychopharmacology of tobacco use, this article introduces a novel paradigm, called "sociopharmacology." Sociopharmacology is a platform for investigating how contextual factors amplify psychopharmacological determinants of smoking to disproportionately enhance vulnerability to smoking in populations subject to TRHD. The overall goal of sociopharmacology is to identify proximal person-level psychopharmacological mechanisms that channel distal societal-level influences on TRHD. In this article I describe: (1) sociopharmacology's overarching methodology and theoretical framework; (2) example models that apply sociopharmacology to understand mechanisms underlying TRHD; (3) how sociopharmacological approaches may enhance the public health impact of basic research on the psychopharmacology of tobacco use; and (4) how understanding sociopharmacological mechanisms of TRHD might ultimately translate into interventions that reduce TRHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M Leventhal
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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McClernon FJ, Addicott MA, Sweitzer MM. Smoking abstinence and neurocognition: implications for cessation and relapse. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2015; 23:193-227. [PMID: 25655892 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-13665-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter, we review the last decade of research on the effects of smoking abstinence on various forms of neurocognition, including executive function (working memory, sustained attention, response inhibition), reward processing, and cue-reactivity. In our review we identify smoking abstinence-induced deficits in executive function mediated by effects on frontal circuitry, which in turn is known to be affected by modulation of cholinergic, dopaminergic, and other neurotransmitter systems. We also review evidence that smoking abstinence blunts reactivity to non-drug reinforcers-a finding that is consistent with results in the animal literature. Finally, our review of cue-reactivity indicates that smoking abstinence does not appear to amplify cue-provoked craving, although it may increase attentional bias to smoking-related cues. Inconsistencies across findings and potential contributing factors are discussed. In addition, we review the literature on the effects of nicotine and non-nicotine factors in neurocognition. Finally, we provide a multi-factor model and an agenda for future research on the effects of smoking abstinence on neurocognition. The model includes four distinct yet interacting factors, including: Negative Reinforcement, Drug-Reward Bias, Goal and Skill Interference, and Non-Cognitive Factors. Additional research is needed to further evaluate the scope and time-course of abstinence-induced changes in neurocognition, the mechanisms that underlie these changes and the specific role of these processes in drug reinforcement, lapse, and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Joseph McClernon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, 2608 Erwin Rd Box 3527, Lakeview Pavilion E Ste 300, Durham, NC, 27705-4596, USA,
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Cook JW, Piper ME, Leventhal AM, Schlam TR, Fiore MC, Baker TB. Anhedonia as a component of the tobacco withdrawal syndrome. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 2014; 124:215-25. [PMID: 25384069 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Animal research suggests that anhedonia is a tobacco withdrawal symptom, but this topic has not been addressed definitively in research with humans. This research sought to determine whether anhedonia is (a) an element of the tobacco withdrawal syndrome in humans and (b) an impediment to successful tobacco cessation. Data were from 1,175 smokers (58.3% women; 85.5% White) participating in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of smoking cessation pharmacotherapies. Ecological momentary assessments for 5 days before and 10 days after the target quit day were used to assess anhedonia and other established withdrawal symptoms. Consistent with drug withdrawal, anhedonia showed an inverted-U pattern of change in response to tobacco cessation and was associated with the severity of other withdrawal symptoms and tobacco dependence. Postquit anhedonia was associated with decreased latency to relapse (hazard ratio = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.02, 1.17]) and with lower 8-week point-prevalence abstinence (odds ratio = .91, 95% CI [.86, .97])-relations that remained significant when other withdrawal symptoms were included as predictors. Finally, nicotine replacement therapy nearly fully suppressed the increase in abstinence-related anhedonia (β = -.66, p < .001), suggesting agonist suppression of withdrawal. Results suggest that anhedonia is a unique and motivationally significant element of the tobacco withdrawal syndrome in humans. These results have implications for defining and assessing tobacco use disorder and for understanding and treating tobacco addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adam M Leventhal
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
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Pergadia ML, Der-Avakian A, D'Souza MS, Madden PA, Heath AC, Shiffman S, Markou A, Pizzagalli DA. Association between nicotine withdrawal and reward responsiveness in humans and rats. JAMA Psychiatry 2014; 71:1238-1245. [PMID: 25208057 PMCID: PMC4353576 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.1016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Reward-related disturbances after withdrawal from nicotine are hypothesized to contribute to relapse to tobacco smoking but mechanisms underlying and linking such processes remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine whether withdrawal from nicotine affects reward responsiveness (ie, the propensity to modulate behavior as a function of prior reinforcement experience) across species using translational behavioral assessments in humans and rats. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS Experimental studies used analogous reward responsiveness tasks in both humans and rats to examine whether reward responsiveness varied in (1) an ad libitum smoking condition compared with a 24-hour acute nicotine abstinence condition in 31 human smokers with (n = 17) or without (n = 14) a history of depression; (2) rats 24 hours after withdrawal from chronic nicotine (n = 19) or saline (n = 20); and (3) rats following acute nicotine exposure after withdrawal from either chronic nicotine or saline administration. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Performance on a reward responsiveness task under nicotine and nonnicotine conditions. RESULTS In both human smokers and nicotine-treated rats, reward responsiveness was significantly reduced after 24-hour withdrawal from nicotine (P < .05). In humans, withdrawal-induced deficits in reward responsiveness were greater in those with a history of depression. In rats previously exposed to chronic nicotine, acute nicotine reexposure long after withdrawal potentiated reward responsiveness (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings across species converge in suggesting that organisms have diminished ability to modulate behavior as a function of reward during withdrawal of nicotine. This blunting may contribute to relapse to tobacco smoking, particularly in depression-vulnerable individuals, to reinstate responsiveness to natural rewards and to experience potentiated nicotine-induced reward responsiveness. Moreover, demonstration of behavioral homology across humans and rodents provides a strong translational framework for the investigation and development of clinical treatments targeting reward responsiveness deficits during early withdrawal of nicotine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele L. Pergadia
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO,Corresponding Author: Michele L. Pergadia, PhD, Washington University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, 660 S. Euclid, Campus Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110; Phone (314) 286-2270; Fax (314) 286-2213;
| | | | | | - Pamela A.F. Madden
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Andrew C. Heath
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | | | - Athina Markou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego
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Snuggs S, Hajek P. Responsiveness to reward following cessation of smoking. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 225:869-73. [PMID: 23007603 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2874-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 09/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES It has been suggested that stopping smoking may lead to reduced responsiveness to rewarding stimulation. We assessed such changes in dependent smokers who abstained from smoking continuously for 4 weeks. METHODS Eight hundred seventy-four consecutive smokers treated at a UK Clinic provided ratings of changes in their perception of rewarding events at 1 and 4 weeks after their target quit date. Measurements included the Enjoyment of Life Questionnaire (EOL) and Mood and Physical Symptoms Scale (a measure of withdrawal discomfort). Self-reports of continuous abstinence were verified by expired air carbon monoxide readings. RESULTS In 585 participants who were continuously abstinent for the first week and provided EOL ratings, there was an increase in positive reactions to rewarding events compared to reactions while smoking (t = 5.9, p < 0.001). In 192 participants who were continuously abstinent for 4 weeks and provided ratings at both 1 and 4 weeks, there was a further significant increase in positive reactions (F(1,191) = 18.71, p < 0.001). More severe withdrawal discomfort was related to decreased enjoyment of rewarding events. CONCLUSIONS Responsiveness to reward increases within a week of stopping smoking and it increases further after 4 weeks of abstinence. The finding has implications for reassuring smokers worried about post-quitting mood changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Snuggs
- Tobacco Dependence Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 55 Philpot Street, London, E1 2JH, UK.
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Effects of acute nicotine and alcohol on the rating of attractiveness in social smokers and alcohol drinkers. Drug Alcohol Depend 2012; 125:43-8. [PMID: 22494879 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2012] [Revised: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine and alcohol are often consumed together. Previous research suggests that both can independently increase the perceived attractiveness of social stimuli, which may be a mechanism that drives continued use. This study examined whether there was an additive effect of nicotine and alcohol on perceived attractiveness of social and environmental stimuli. METHODS Male and female (n=96) social alcohol consumers and light cigarette smokers (no more than 14 cigarettes per week) were randomized to smoke either a nicotinized or denicotinized cigarette and drink either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic (placebo) beverage. The primary outcome was attractiveness ratings of facial and landscape stimuli. Secondary outcomes were self-report mood and craving. RESULTS There was a main effect of drink (p=.031) and a trend toward a main effect of cigarette (p=.057) with higher ratings of attractiveness after alcohol compared to placebo and after a nicotinized cigarette compared to a denicotinized cigarette. Nicotine and alcohol appeared to work additively on ratings of attractiveness, with the highest ratings in the nicotine/alcohol group. There were no interactions between drink, cigarette and stimulus type. CONCLUSIONS When co-administered, nicotine and alcohol consumption resulted in the highest perceptions of attractiveness across all stimulus types. This additive effect may be a mechanism by which administration of one drug reinforces use of the other, and which leads to an increased likelihood of habitual consumption and relapse.
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