Spatial Working Memory Under Differential and Nondifferential Outcomes I: Effects of Nicotine

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated the potential for nicotine to enhance cognitive ability including learning, attention, and memory in both animal and human models. The effects of 62 nicotine were examined while subjects performed a discrimination task under delayed conditions. Subjects were trained under nondifferential outcomes (NDO), or differential outcomes (DO) procedures. While subjects that were trained under (DO) did exhibit performance gains across delays indicative of the differential outcomes effect (DOE), no evidence of significant performance gain as a function of nicotine exposure were found under either condition. We are currently engaged in a follow-up study using a wider range of doses in which we investigate the effects of ethanol, scopolamine, MK-801, and dextromethorphan