Geoffrey F Potts1, Erika L Bloom2, David E Evans3, David J Drobes4. 1. University of South Florida, Department of Psychology, United States. Electronic address: gfpotts@usf.edu. 2. University of South Florida, Department of Psychology, United States; Moffitt Cancer Center, Tobacco Research and Intervention Program, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, United States. 3. Moffitt Cancer Center, Tobacco Research and Intervention Program, United States; University of South Florida, Department of Oncologic Sciences, United States. 4. University of South Florida, Department of Psychology, United States; Moffitt Cancer Center, Tobacco Research and Intervention Program, United States; University of South Florida, Department of Oncologic Sciences, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nicotine addiction remains a major public health problem but the neural substrates of addictive behavior remain unknown. One characteristic of smoking behavior is impulsive choice, selecting the immediate reward of smoking despite the potential long-term negative consequences. This suggests that drug users, including cigarette smokers, may be more sensitive to rewards and less sensitive to punishment. METHODS: We used event-related potentials (ERPs) to test the hypothesis that smokers are more responsive to reward signals and less responsive to punishment, potentially predisposing them to risky behavior. We conducted two experiments, one using a reward prediction design to elicit a Medial Frontal Negativity (MFN) and one using a reward- and punishment-motivated flanker task to elicit an Error Related Negativity (ERN), ERP components thought to index activity in the cortical projection of the dopaminergic reward system. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The smokers had a greater MFN response to unpredicted rewards, and non-smokers, but not smokers, had a larger ERN on punishment motivated trials indicating that smokers are more reward sensitive and less punishment sensitive than nonsmokers, overestimating the appetitive value and underestimating aversive outcomes of stimuli and actions.
BACKGROUND:Nicotine addiction remains a major public health problem but the neural substrates of addictive behavior remain unknown. One characteristic of smoking behavior is impulsive choice, selecting the immediate reward of smoking despite the potential long-term negative consequences. This suggests that drug users, including cigarette smokers, may be more sensitive to rewards and less sensitive to punishment. METHODS: We used event-related potentials (ERPs) to test the hypothesis that smokers are more responsive to reward signals and less responsive to punishment, potentially predisposing them to risky behavior. We conducted two experiments, one using a reward prediction design to elicit a Medial Frontal Negativity (MFN) and one using a reward- and punishment-motivated flanker task to elicit an Error Related Negativity (ERN), ERP components thought to index activity in the cortical projection of the dopaminergic reward system. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The smokers had a greater MFN response to unpredicted rewards, and non-smokers, but not smokers, had a larger ERN on punishment motivated trials indicating that smokers are more reward sensitive and less punishment sensitive than nonsmokers, overestimating the appetitive value and underestimating aversive outcomes of stimuli and actions.
Authors: Megan E Piper; Thomas M Piasecki; E Belle Federman; Daniel M Bolt; Stevens S Smith; Michael C Fiore; Timothy B Baker Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2004-04
Authors: G Thut; W Schultz; U Roelcke; M Nienhusmeier; J Missimer; R P Maguire; K L Leenders Journal: Neuroreport Date: 1997-03-24 Impact factor: 1.837