Poster(s)
An investigation of the effects of nicotine on executive processes using a virtual reality environment
T. Edginton
University of Westminster
D. Nikolla
University of Westminster
A. Jansari
University of Westminster
Cholinergic decline has been linked to deficits in frontal lobe functioning in normal ageing and Alzheimer’s disease (Parkin and Walter, 1992; Hasher and Zacks, 1998; West and Craik, 1999). Nicotine, a cholinergic agonist, has been shown to improve specific aspects of cognition in healthy young smokers that require effortful processes (Rusted et al, 1998; 2000). Notably nicotine has been associated with increased attentional focus (Wesnes and Warburton, 1984) improved free recall (Warburton et al, 1986; Philips and Fox, 1998) and increased inhibition (Rodway et al, 2000; Edginton and Rusted, 2003).
However methodological issues associated with nicotine administration and withdrawal effects have implications for nicotine as a cognitive enhancer in a compromised system.
Using a recently developed virtual reality environment, that was designed to isolate the range of cognitive constructs that underlie executive functioning, this study aims to investigate the effects of nicotine in non-smokers using a double blind placebo controlled experimental design to address previous methodological criticisms. The differential effects of nicotine on several specific executive function constructs will be discussed within recent theoretical models of executive functioning.
