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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Creating Dynamic Images of Short-lived Dopamine Fluctuations with lp-ntPET: Dopamine Movies of Cigarette Smoking
Published on: August 6, 2013
Heavy smokers perform more poorly than nonsmokers on a simulated task of gambling
Michael S Businelle1, Darla E Kendzor, Carla J Rash
1University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77230-1402, USA. msbusine@mdanderson.org
Abstract:
The Gambling Task (GT) has demonstrated sensitivity to a type of decision-making that differentiates individuals manifesting substance use disorders from those without such disorders. However, studies have not yet compared the GT performance of "heavy smokers" to the performance of never-smokers. In the present study, the GT performance of "heavy smokers" (n = 39) and never-smokers (n = 32) recruited from the community was compared in an experimental design. Analysis of covariance showed that "heavy smokers" performance on the GT was significantly worse than that of never-smokers (p < .01). Implications, the study's limitations and future directions are discussed.
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