Investigating the impact of nicotine on executive functions using a novel virtual reality assessment

Jansari, A.S., Froggat, D., Edginton, T.L. and Dawkins, L. 2013. Investigating the impact of nicotine on executive functions using a novel virtual reality assessment. Addiction. 108 (5), pp. 977-984. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12082

TitleInvestigating the impact of nicotine on executive functions using a novel virtual reality assessment
AuthorsJansari, A.S., Froggat, D., Edginton, T.L. and Dawkins, L.
Abstract

Abstract

Aims

Nicotine is known to enhance aspects of cognitive functioning in abstinent smokers but the effects on specific areas of executive functions, and in non-smokers are inconclusive. This may be due in part to the poor sensitivity of tests used to assess executive functions. This study used a new virtual reality assessment of executive functions known as JEF (the Jansari assessment of Executive Functions) to address this issue.

Design

2x2 design manipulating group (smokers and never-smokers) and drug (nicotine [4mg for smokers; 2mg for never smokers] vs placebo gum).

Setting

School of Psychology; University of East London

Participants

72 participants (aged 18 to 54). 36 minimally-deprived (2 hr) smokers and 36 never-smokers.

Measurements

Components of executive function were measured using the virtual reality paradigm JEF, which assesses eight cognitive constructs simultaneously as well as providing an overall performance measure.

Results

Univariate ANOVAs revealed that nicotine improved overall JEF performance, time-based prospective memory and event-based prospective memory in smokers (p < 0.01) but not in never-smokers. Action-based prospective memory was enhanced in both groups (p < 0.01) and never-smokers out-performed smokers on selective thinking and adaptive thinking (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Executive functioning and prospective memory as aspects of cognitive performance can be enhanced by nicotine gum, in smokers who have abstained for as little as 2 hours.

JournalAddiction
Journal citation108 (5), pp. 977-984
ISSN0965-2140
YearMay 2013
PublisherWiley
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12082
Publication dates
PublishedMay 2013

Related outputs

Motor sensory biases are associated with cognitive and social abilities in humans
Donati, G., Edginton, T.L., Bardo, A., Kivell, T.L., Ballieux, H., Stamate, C. and Forrester, G.S. 2024. Motor sensory biases are associated with cognitive and social abilities in humans. Scientific Reports. 14 (1) 14724. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-64372-2

Time Perception in First Year Undergraduates: Correlation with Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Koebeli, C., Edginton, T.L., Morgan, K.D. and Boubert, L. 2023. Time Perception in First Year Undergraduates: Correlation with Stress, Anxiety and Depression. 17th International Technology, Education and Development Conference. Valencia, Spain 06 - 08 Mar 2023 IATED Digital Library. https://doi.org/10.21125/inted.2023.1559

The Precision of the Human Hand: Variability in Pinch Strength and Manual Dexterity
Bardo, A., Town, Katie, Kivell, Tracy L., Donati, Georgina, Ballieux, H., Stamate, C., Edginton, T. and Forrester, Gillian S. 2022. The Precision of the Human Hand: Variability in Pinch Strength and Manual Dexterity. Symmetry. 14 (1) e71. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym14010071

Positivity bias in past and future episodic thinking: Relationship with anxiety, depression, and retrieval- induced forgetting
Marsh, L., Edginton, T.L., Conway, M.A. and Loveday, C. 2019. Positivity bias in past and future episodic thinking: Relationship with anxiety, depression, and retrieval- induced forgetting. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 72 (3), pp. 508-522. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747021818758620

New Ways of Being a Man: “Positive” Hegemonic Masculinity in Meditation-based Communities of Practice
Lomas, Tim, Cartwright, T., Edginton, T.L. and Ridge, Damien T. 2016. New Ways of Being a Man: “Positive” Hegemonic Masculinity in Meditation-based Communities of Practice. Men and Masculinities. 19 (3), pp. 289-310. https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X15578531

Cultivating equanimity through mindfulness meditation: a mixed methods enquiry into the development of decentring capabilities in men
Lomas, T., Edginton, T.L., Cartwright, T. and Ridge, Damien T. 2015. Cultivating equanimity through mindfulness meditation: a mixed methods enquiry into the development of decentring capabilities in men. International Journal of Wellbeing. 5 (3), pp. 88-106. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v5i3.7

A qualitative analysis of experiential challenges associated with meditation practice
Lomas, Tim, Cartwright, T., Edginton, T.L. and Ridge, Damien T. 2015. A qualitative analysis of experiential challenges associated with meditation practice. Mindfulness. 6, pp. 848-860. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-014-0329-8

Engagement with meditation as a positive health trajectory: Divergent narratives of progress in male meditators
Lomas, Tim, Ridge, Damien T., Cartwright, T. and Edginton, T.L. 2014. Engagement with meditation as a positive health trajectory: Divergent narratives of progress in male meditators. Psychology & Health. 29 (2), pp. 218-236. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2013.843684

Men developing emotional intelligence through meditation? Integrating narrative, cognitive and electroencephalography (EEG) evidence
Lomas, Tim, Edginton, T.L., Cartwright, T. and Ridge, Damien T. 2014. Men developing emotional intelligence through meditation? Integrating narrative, cognitive and electroencephalography (EEG) evidence. Psychology of Men & Masculinity. 15 (2), pp. 213-224. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032191

A religion of wellbeing? The appeal of Buddhism to men in London, United Kingdom
Lomas, Tim, Cartwright, T., Edginton, T.L. and Ridge, Damien T. 2014. A religion of wellbeing? The appeal of Buddhism to men in London, United Kingdom. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 6 (3), pp. 198-207. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036420

I was so done in that I just recognized it very plainly, “You need to do something”’: men’s narratives of struggle, distress and turning to meditation
Lomas, Tim, Cartwright, T., Edginton, T.L. and Ridge, Damien T. 2013. I was so done in that I just recognized it very plainly, “You need to do something”’: men’s narratives of struggle, distress and turning to meditation. Health. 17 (2), pp. 191-208. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363459312451178

Early childhood cognitive disorders: Spina bifida and hydrocephalus
Loveday, C. and Edginton, T.L. 2013. Early childhood cognitive disorders: Spina bifida and hydrocephalus. in: Davis, A.S. (ed.) Psychopathology of childhood and adolescence: A neuropsychological approach Springer. pp. 543-562

Water consumption, not expectancies about water consumption, affects cognitive performance in adults
Edmonds, C.J., Crombie, R., Ballieux, H., Gardner, M. and Dawkins, L. 2013. Water consumption, not expectancies about water consumption, affects cognitive performance in adults. Appetite. 60, pp. 148-153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2012.10.016

Spina bifida and hydrocephalus
Loveday, C. and Edginton, T.L. 2011. Spina bifida and hydrocephalus. in: David, A.S. (ed.) Handbook of Pediatric Neuropsychology Springer. pp. 769-782

Men behaving well? Journeys towards constructive engagement with well-being through meditation
Lomas, T., Cartwright, T., Edginton, T.L. and Ridge, Damien T. 2011. Men behaving well? Journeys towards constructive engagement with well-being through meditation. BSA Medical Sociology Group 43rd Annual Conference 2011. University of Chester 14 - 16 Sep 2011

Men behaving well? Journeys towards constructive engagement with well-being through meditation
Lomas, T., Cartwright, T., Edginton, T.L. and Ridge, Damien T. 2011. Men behaving well? Journeys towards constructive engagement with well-being through meditation. 7th Biennial Conference of the International Society of Critical Health Psychology (ISCHP). Adelaide, South Australia 18 -20 Apr 2011

Men behaving well? Journeys towards constructive engagement with well-being through meditation
Lomas, T., Cartwright, T., Edginton, T.L. and Ridge, Damien T. 2010. Men behaving well? Journeys towards constructive engagement with well-being through meditation. Psychology & Health. 25 (S1), p. 265. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2010.502762

Spina bifida and hydrocephalus
Edginton, T.L. 2010. Spina bifida and hydrocephalus. in: Davis, A. and D'Amato, R.C. (ed.) Handbook of paediatric neuropsychology: applications of cognitive neuroscience Springer.

Current concepts in Alzheimer's disease: a multidisciplinary review
Minati, L., Edginton, T.L., Bruzzone, M.G. and Giaconne, G. 2009. Current concepts in Alzheimer's disease: a multidisciplinary review. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias. 24 (2), pp. 95-121. https://doi.org/10.1177/1533317508328602

Cognitive and psychological sequelae of hydrocephalus and spina bifida: correlating subjective data and objective neuropsychological data to establish insight and inform clinical intervention and guidelines
Edginton, T.L., Iddon, J.L., Loveday, C., Pickard, J. and Morgan, R. 2009. Cognitive and psychological sequelae of hydrocephalus and spina bifida: correlating subjective data and objective neuropsychological data to establish insight and inform clinical intervention and guidelines. Cerebrospinal Fluid Research. 6 (1), p. S7 S7 . https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-8454-6-S2-S7

An investigation of the effects of nicotine on executive processes using a virtual reality environment
Edginton, T.L., Nikolla, D. and Jansari, A.S. 2007. An investigation of the effects of nicotine on executive processes using a virtual reality environment. 2007 Psychobiology 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting. Windermere, UK 03 - 05 Sep 2007

An investigation of a non-selective imagery impairment on strategic and autobiographical memory processes following posterior frontal lobe craniotomy
Edginton, T.L. 2007. An investigation of a non-selective imagery impairment on strategic and autobiographical memory processes following posterior frontal lobe craniotomy. International Neuropsychological Society Meeting. Bilbao, Spain Jul 2007

Preferences of healthy men for two different endocrine treatment options offered for locally advanced prostate cancer
Jenkins, V.A., Followfield, L., Edginton, T.L., Payne, H. and Hamilton, E. 2005. Preferences of healthy men for two different endocrine treatment options offered for locally advanced prostate cancer. Current Medical Research and Opinion. 21 (9), pp. 1329-1336. https://doi.org/10.1185/030079905X59058

Does neoadjuvant hormone therapy for early prostate cancer affect cognition? Results from a pilot study
Jenkins, V.A., Bloomfield, D.J., Shilling, V.M. and Edginton, T.L. 2005. Does neoadjuvant hormone therapy for early prostate cancer affect cognition? Results from a pilot study. BJU international. 96 (1), pp. 48-53. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2005.05565.x

The cognitive effects of reversible hormone therapy for prostate cancer
Edginton, T.L. 2004. The cognitive effects of reversible hormone therapy for prostate cancer. 7th World Congress of Psycho-Oncology. Copenhagen, Denmark 25 - 28 Aug 2004

Separate and combined effects of scopolamine and nicotine on retrieval-induced forgetting
Edginton, T.L. and Rusted, J.M. 2003. Separate and combined effects of scopolamine and nicotine on retrieval-induced forgetting. Psychopharmacology. 170 (4), pp. 351-357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-003-1563-2

Efficient remembering: nicotine improves suppression of irrelevancies
Edginton, T.L. and Rusted, J.M. 2002. Efficient remembering: nicotine improves suppression of irrelevancies. Neurobiology of Aging. 23 (Supplement 1), p. S123.

Effects of nicotine on inhibitory processes in human memory
Edginton, T.L. 2001. Effects of nicotine on inhibitory processes in human memory. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 15 (Supplement), p. A55.

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/8yx57/investigating-the-impact-of-nicotine-on-executive-functions-using-a-novel-virtual-reality-assessment


Share this

Usage statistics

173 total views
0 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.