Decision-making and inhibitory control after smoking-related priming in nicotine dependent smokers and never-smokers

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Impaired decision-making and inhibitory control are important characteristics of nicotine dependence (ND). We aimed to test 1) the effects of smoking-related priming cues on subsequent decision-making and inhibitory control in ND and 2) how these priming effects are related to valence ratings, nicotine deprivation and craving. A sample of 27 smokers with ND according to DSM-IV and a control group of 33 never-smokers performed an intertemporal choice task and a go/no-go task. Before each trial of the tasks, a priming cue appeared that was either smoking-related or neutral. Valence ratings, nicotine deprivation and craving were assessed with self-reports. After smoking-related compared to neutral primes, the ND group exhibited increased delay discounting (β = 0.07, 95% confidence-interval (CI): 0.01-0.14) and shorter go reaction times (β = -0.13, CI: -0.32 to -0.01) compared to the never-smoker group. The speed-up in go trials after smoking-related compared to neutral cues was significantly related to more pleasant valence ratings (β = 0.07, CI:0.01-0.13), a longer time since last cigarette (β = -0.17, CI:-0.30 to -0.03), and increased craving (β = -0.19, CI: -0.33 to -0.06) within the ND group. We found evidence for small group effects indicating that individuals with ND compared to never-smokers decide more dysfunctional and react faster after smoking-related compared to neutral cues. Faster reactions after smoking-related cues within the ND group, especially in states of increased nicotine deprivation and craving, without more errors could be explained by an increased attentional focus. Cue-induced alterations in decision-making and inhibitory control in ND highly depend on the temporal sequence of cue presentation.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)114-121
Number of pages8
JournalAddictive behaviors
Volume88
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2019
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-4408-6016/work/142234381
ORCID /0000-0002-1612-3932/work/142251079
Scopus 85054097398

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Adult, Craving, Cues, Decision Making, Female, Humans, Inhibition, Psychological, Male, Non-Smokers, Repetition Priming, Smokers, Tobacco Use Disorder/psychology, Young Adult