EEG effects of conventional and denicotinized cigarettes in a spaced smoking paradigm

Although there is a documented association between plasma nicotine levels and smoking behavior, recent studies indicate that denicotinized cigarettes reduced craving and symptoms of tobacco withdrawal. Denicotinized cigarettes (that deliver tar but insignificant amounts of nicotine) and conventional cigarettes were compared in a within-subject spaced smoking study. In six sessions, subjects (n=10) smoked denicotinized cigarettes or conventional cigarettes every 30, 60 or 240 min (8, 4 or 1 cigarette(s)). EEG effects of the last cigarette of each session were deduced by comparisons with EEG recordings collected before smoking. Conventional cigarettes increased spectral edge EEG frequency, decreased theta power and increased beta1 power. Denicotinized cigarettes decreased spectral frequency. The EEG effects of both cigarettes depended upon the recentness of smoking. The results indicate that nicotine delivery, recentness and the process of smoking importantly influence the EEG; other, non-nicotine components of tobacco smoke may also exert EEG effects.